Hello, I started off with an intention of writing about 3000 words but ended up writing 5000 words...Hoping its not too long or monotonous...I have very high hopes with this update...Hopefully you'll like it
srishti_chakraborty I hope you like my interpretation of your words...
Without any further ado, here's the update..Hope you like it..fingers crossed..!!
Warning - Not proof read, please ignore the mistakes
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Nandini was on video con-call with Fab5, Abhi and Navya.
Cabir – Guys, Holi is coming up...Let's discuss about that...let's utilize this con-call for something useful rather than just chatting..!!
Alya – Oh freak...I totally forgot about that...!!
Dhruv – Calm down Alya...You cannot afford to get hyper on every petty thing now..I hope you realise that..and before you get too excited, let us have a chat with the doctor as well if you could play holi or not..!!
Mukti – Dhruv...she is pregnant...not sick..Of course she can play holi..!!
Nandani – But have to stay away from Bhaang though..!!
Manik – And have to be really careful with walking and running around...!!
Alya – But guys...we always celebrate Holi at my place...being the host I will have to prepare for the event..right..!!
Navya – Then we are not celebrating it at your place...There is no way you are stressing yourself..!!
Manik – Absolutely...!!
Abhi – Let's celebrate Holi at Manik's place this year..What say..??
Cabir - That is actually a great idea Abhi..Splash of colors on Manik's terrace..I am already excited..!!
Dhruv - And let's not forget the fact that Manik is the best host amongst us..So this Holi will be so much fun...Wohooo....I am so excited..!!
Manik - Perfect then, my place it is...!!
Alya – Guys but I want to do it..!!
Seeing her grumpy face, Manik spoke
Manik – So even today you will be the one doing it Alya...You will instruct all of us and we shall follow your orders...It's just that we can't let you stress yourself by going from one place to another...!!
Alya – Wohooo...So I get to be the boss...is it..??
Nandini – Yup that's exactly what it is..!!
Alya – Cool then, I'll divide the work and make a list of who will do what...I'll send that to you guys on the group...and Nandini you would be the one with me all the time...just like old days..!!....Gosh this is so exciting...Let me make the list first..
Mukti – Here comes the list again...Nandini your idea of making lists, Alya throws it at us almost everytime...Why did you teach her this...??
Nandini – Because it is good to be organized and Alya, don't worry I'll be with you all the time...Ok Boss..!!
Manik – Wait for that...when are you coming to Mumbai..??
Nandini – On Saturday..may be...haven't booked my tickets yet...will do it today..??
Abhi – hey..but why Saturday, listen I think you should come here on Friday evening, even late night is fine, for you'll be coming home and we can pick you up..!!
Mukti – Abhi is right...listen Nandini, if you plan to come on Saturday, half of the day would be wasted in travelling, so it's better you come on Friday only..!!
Nandini – But I'll have to pack and...(her phone showed an email notification which halted her speech for a while, she read the mail and looked up)..Manik Malhotra...what the hell is wrong with you...here were still discussing the days and you have already booked my ticket to Mumbai for Friday...are you mad..??
Cabir – Wah Manik...You know your ability to take "Swift Actions" always amazes me..!!
Abhi – And have you noticed Cabir, whenever something involves Nandini, the "Swift" action actually turn "Swifter" in pace...!!
Cabir – Oh yes...Actually if we look at today's scenario, it would be "Swiftest"....!!
Mukti – Shut up you people..After all Nandini is Bhai's "Friend"
Dhruv – Really then what are we..??
Manik – You all are friends too...I hope you know that..!! And Nandini...listen come here on Friday, and I have booked the tickets only because I knew if left to your will, you would have booked a Saturday ticket...!!
Nandini – Whatever..I am paying for this ticket when I come there..!!
Manik – Cool I would prefer Cash...for I can't get that out from ATM these days...!!
They disconnected the con-call an hour later post discussing few things...
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On Friday, around 12:40 at night, Nandini was waiting at the baggage counter to collect her luggage when Manik called her
Nandini – Yes Manik.. I am at the baggage counter, will take another 15 min to come out..!!
Manik – Fair enough, me and Abhi are waiting at the departure terminal...!!
Nandini – Cool, see you soon..!!
About 15 minutes, later Nandini walked out of the airport and joined Abhi and Manik who were waiting for her. They moved towards their car parked in the parking lot
Nandini – So, who's place is it this time..??
Abhi – Manik's
Nandini – What..!!
Abhi – Yes since we are celebrating Holi at his place, we thought might as well stay there for the weekend, Dadi has also shifted to his place, Raj Dad and Neyo Mom will join in tomorrow morning...!!
Nandini's unrest hearing that she would be staying at Manik's place this time did not go unnoticed by Manik. He held her palm and squeezed it which led to Nandini looking straight into his eyes. He blinked his eyes in assurance silently conveying that everything will be okay. Nandini took the back seat of the car as Abhi took the driving wheel and Manik settled on the seat next to Abhi. On the way Manik messaged Nandini, " Listen I understand the place you are coming from, coming to your house for the first time was equally difficult for me but then there always has to be a first time right so might as well do it today, Don't worry we are with you always". Nandini smiled reading the message and looked into the rear view mirror only to see Manik looking back her, she nodded her head in agreement before shifting her gaze to her right window. They reached at Manik's building in about an hour. As soon as she stepped out of the car, all moments came back running to her as if everything happened just a day before. Her heart literally skipped a beat when she saw Manik pressing the button for 10th floor when they entered in the lift. She closed her eyes as tightly as she could, her fingers formed the strongest fist, while she took deep breaths for the few seconds the lift took to reach the 10th floor. The sound of lift reaching the destination caused her eyes to split open and she felt a hand slipping into hers. She turned around only to find the owner of the hand in Manik who gestured her to step out of the lift. She started moving towards her left when Abhi called her,
Abhi – Nandu, where are you going...Manik doesn't stay there anymore, he has shifted to the flat across the corridor.
Nandini looked at Manik with a jerk.
Manik – I couldn't stay in that house after Mom Dad's death but could go too far either, so settled for the best possible option. This house is new with no past baggage of memories, which is why I asked you to relax...!!
Nandini nodded and entered in the new house not before sparing a glance at the old one. It was already late at night, so without any ado, three of them went to sleep.
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It was Saturday morning and the lazy heads were sleeping with heads hidden in their pillow and maybe dreaming about their respective soulmates ! But all of a sudden, a commotion woke all of them up and on straining their ears, they realized it was Dadi screaming for all of them to wake up.
"God! Dadi!", Mukti made a face while Alya laughed at her irritated face. Mukti was never a morning person anyways. 15 minutes later, Mukti and Alya rushed down only to meet Navya and Nandini coming from the other end. So did, Cabir-Dhruv and Abhi-Manik.
Cabir – Hey Nandini...Good Morning...Welcome...!!
Nandini – Good morning everyone... Good morning Dadi...kya hua...Didn't Sleep well kya..??
Mukti – Or maybe woke up on the wrong side of the bed..!!
All of them gathered around Dadi who gave them a sheepish smile and all their irritation and anger flew out of the window at her cute pout.
Manik – Okay enough of the suspense Dadi...what is it..??
Manik asked and Dadi smiled.
Dadi -Yes, it was something for the to be bride and groom but then I thought to share it with all of you,
Dadi replied making everyone frown. Abhi and Mukti settled on either sides of her while others made space for themselves.
Dadi - See children, now that you all are in relationships, or have been once, I want you all to know few things. When they say it's a two way road, they are not wrong. Mukti I know that now as you go into a new home you will need to adjust with them but remember, if a compromise can strengthen your relationship, never back out. Similarly Abhi, even you will have a huge change with her in your life and your house, 24*7 but remember, that she is going there as your wife. It's your responsibility to see her happiness, to see that she is respected and to be happy in her achievements too. Never let ego or insecurities win over your love, or else the result will be disastrous
Dadi explained them and everyone smiled at her, understanding her concern. While others took it as a chance to tease the soon to-be wed couple, Manik, who was listening everything quietly sneaked out, but couldn't hide from the ever piercing eyes of Nandini and Cabir.
Cabir saw Manik entering the old house. Nandini gestured him to follow Manik while she too shall join in a while.
Meanwhile, entering his old room, Manik sat by the bed and took out a frame from his bedside drawer. Needless to mention it was his parents wedding picture. A tear drop fell on it when he felt a pat at his back.
Manik ( spoke silently wiping his tears) - I am fine Cabir
Cabir - I can see that Manik,
Cabir retorted sarcastically and Manik looked up at him with glassy eyes. Looking at his friend breaking, Cabir continued
Cabir - Manik, Dadi didn't mean to taunt you. It was just her concern. You should not take it on yourself. She just didn't want anyone else to repeat the mistakes you both did
Cabir tried explaining him while Manik smiled at him.
Manik - I know that Cabir. She can never hurt me. It's just that, listening to her, I am missing mom. Before we drifted apart, she used to explain me these things always, even before I fell for Nandini. But see, still, I could not live up to her teachings. I failed her. I failed dad. And they left me, without even talking to me once....,
Manik trailed off unable to continue and more tears made their way out. This side of Manik was not new to Cabir. He had seen him breaking down. In fact, in past, he was the only one who was a constant companion of Manik's dark nights. He immediately took him in a hug and they stayed like that for a long time. Manik broke the hug and spoke
Manik – I am fine Cabir, I have some work, you go..I'll join you in a while...!!
Cabir nodded in agreement leaving Manik while Manik pulled out a box from the same side drawer. He took a paper and pen out and started scribbling something. Meanwhile, on his way to the hallway Cabir found Nandini standing at the terrace and he walked upto her.
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Nandini's POV
Manik walked out hearing Dadi's words, something that I had anticipated. I asked Cabir to go after him for I still needed some time before I enter the old home again. But I was glad that I stayed back for Manik's disappearance did not go unnoticed by Dadi as well who blamed herself rather her choice of words for Manik's reaction and so I sat down with her for I knew Manik would never take her words in a negative connotation. After cajoling Dadi, I asked her to take some rest before meeting Manik, an advice she agreed to. Though the two houses were only 10 steps away from each other but each step filled me with lot of anxiety and finally I walked into the old home, the abode that gave me the best and worst memories. To my surprise, nothing had changed, from the couch to the small vase on side table, to the paintings on the wall, surprisingly nothing had moved even an inch. Every single detail in front of me articulately matched with my memoirs and this one fact clouded my eyes with tears.
How can everything remain same after all these years..?? Something must have changed and in the quest to find the change, i landed up on the terrace, the terrace where we had our first kiss, the terrace where we broke up. I looked around and discovered the rust covering the corners of the railing I was holding just before our break up...Well at least something had changed..!!
I was busy looking at the rust covered railing and wondering if it was a sign when Cabir gave me a side hug
Me – How's he..??
Cabir – He is not hurt with Dadi's words..it's just that he was missing Uncle and Aunty..!!
Me – I guessed that...Umm...you go...I'll be with him..!!
Cabir bade goodbye while I left for Manik's room
Nandini's POV ends
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Nandini walked into Manik's room but Manik was lost in scribbling something on the paper. She noticed his actions. He wrote, probably a word and then looked at the frame with his parent's picture, he wiped out the tear flowing to have a clear look of their smiling faces but his eyes got filled with tears again as he started writing. He was so engrossed in his world that he didn't even realize when Nandini settled beside him.
"Manik....", She called him softly and he looked up at her abruptly, unable to comprehend when she came. He quickly tried to wipe out those tears but they keep coming in and after a few moments of struggle he gave up, allowing them to flow, however, he tried his best not to meet her eyes. He placed the piece of paper of paper in the box, when Nandini spoke
Nandini (holding his hands into hers) - That's so wrong Manik. I shared everything with you. You gave me my family back, my brother back, my smile back but never bothered to share your grief with me...I know it's still hurting deep within but you also need to let it all out. Right?
Her soft voice made him look up into her eyes, tears cascading down but he was speechless. There was so much he wanted to say and yet he could not speak a word. There was so much he wanted to share and yet he could not form one coherent sentence. He was continuously eyeing at the box in his hands. Lying down on her lap, he handed over the box to her while he allowed the tears to free flow.
Nandini was confused with his actions but she knew that the box in her hand had all her answers and so she opened it only to find several papers neatly folded. There was year written on each of the papers and she opened the oldest one. It was a letter, a letter that Manik had written to his parents
12th March, 2011,
Happy anniversary Mom and Dad, I wish I could say it on you face but I guess I have lost the right. It's been a month that Nandini left me and we've drifted apart. I am miss you mom. I miss the little treasures about life that you used to pass to me, ever since my childhood. Dad you've always taught me to hold on to the important people in my life but I let Nandini go rather I pushed her far away from me. I failed you, Mom. I failed you, Dad.
I hope one day, you will be able to forgive me.
Love,
Manik.
Nandini closed the letter and pick out another one
12th March, 2012,
Happy anniversary Mom and Dad...A year has passed and guess what I am still not able to face you let alone hug you. I know for outsiders, it might look like I have turned into an arrogant snob but mom you know me right, You know I am not arrogant right...Please Mom..Please Dad..Please forgive me..Please tell me that my mistakes can still be repented...I can't stay like this.. I just can't... Dadi, she too has drifted apart from me. You know she hasn't spoken with me ever since the day, she came to know of my actions. Fab-5 had already started drifting apart. All the pillars, my life was standing on, have crumbled one by one. You, Dadi, Fab5 and Nandini..!! Am I such a big disappointment, that second chances are not meant for me...??... Please look into my eyes when I sit with you on the dining table.. Please just for once, please caress my hairs, I promise I'll make everything right... Please once chance to repent is all I ask for..!!
Love,
Manik
Nandini looked down at Manik, who had wrapped his hand around her stomach. Her hands automatically reached his hairs and she started caressing them as she picked out the next letter. She knew reading this one would require a lot of courage from her too for this was written after his parents demise
12th March, 2013,
Happy anniversary Mom and Dad...You must be celebrating it in style in heaven..hain na...!! Dad would be wooing the angels with his swag while Mom I am sure, you would have already become everyone's favourite up there...But I am mad at you both...very very mad... One word Mom...You left me craving for one word from you... You left me without talking to me...I couldn't tell you how much I love you, how much I miss you.... You know Mom, Nandini, yes your Nandini, she still cares for me... Today if I am out the miserable self it is because of her....Out of the miserable self...Am I really..??...No I am not...I am still the same miserable self but I just couldn't let Fab4 and Nandini's efforts go waste...so I am pretending...!!
But that's not what hurts Dad..what hurts is that when I chose to hide behind the shell I had started creating, everyone let me. It is like I don't matter enough to anyone, to ask me or scold me. All I wanted was one word from all of you but none gave me that. Now it feels like I would be troubling people if I even try to voice out my turmoil. I miss you mom so much, at this moment. All I want is to lie in your lap, and cry my eyes out, until this heavy weight lifts off from my chest. Dad I miss your friendly hugs, the way you made me feel safe and happy. I miss Nandini, her care and her way of understanding my feelings before I even spoke. I miss fab-5.
It kills me every second to realize it is all my fault. I am repenting for my own mistakes, for scarring Nandini's life so badly. I know mom and dad you would never forgive me and probably that is why you left me silently without saying a single word.
Hope you have a great time wherever you are and I promise you that despite of being a failure at the personal front, I would make sure that you and everyone around will be immensely proud of my professional achievements.
So from now on, I will not make you sad by reminding you of what a failure your son turned out to be rather every year on your anniversary I would gift you an achievement that I would earn in my professional life. Personal life is scarred but doing well professionally is still in my hands and I promise I shall fulfill your dreams. And I have started, you would be please to know that I have got through ISB, a college you always wanted me to be a part of.
Love,
Manik
Nandini could control her tears and pick out the next letter. However, true to his promise the letters post 2013 were generally a few liners describing his professional achievements or may be the personal good moments in others lives. For instance in 2014, he shared the news of completing his MBA at ISB with flying colors. In 2015, he shared the news of first Fab5 album and other musical success he garnered in the previous year and in 2016, he told them about Abhi and Mukti's relationship but since the letter written in 2013 he never spoke about his personal life. She took out the paper, he was writing at that point but all she could see were some words scribbled here and there. She looked down to ask him about the same only to find him sleeping. Carefully placing his head on the pillow, covering him with the duvet and keeping the frame in its position, she came out to see a restless Cabir pacing outside the room.
Cabir - Nandini, how is he? He is fine na?
Cabir asked and Nandini looked at him with tears in her eyes.
Nandini - Externally yes, but his heart is shattered cabir. He might not say it but he is badly broken and it will take all of us a lot of struggle to glue his pieces back
Nandini said, Cabir closed his eyes and took her into a hug which was broken by Dadi's voice
Dadi - No, Nandini. We can help him collect his pieces but to actually heal, he will have to glue them himself. But yes, we can ensure he does that and we will, right beta?
Dadi spoke and Nandini hugged her tight, nodding in response. Cabir too joined the hug. Nandini broke the hug and said,
Nandini – Dadi, tomorrow is uncle and aunty's anniversary...Please call the pandit and arrange for a puja tomorrow and Cabir can you get me some fresh pair of railings...??
Cabir – Railings but why...??
Nandini – Manik has to glue himself and the rigorous process starts tomorrow.
Cabir nodded, Dadi made some calls for arranging the Puja. She woke Manik up for lunch but since he wasn't feeling too well, she allowed him to take rest. Manik enquired about Nandini to which Dadi replied that she has gone out with the girls to get things for tomorrow. Dadi also informed him about the Puja to be held the next day. The thought of it made him emotional and Dadi ensured that she became the emotional support that he was seeking. It wasn't like she had not tried that in the past, she had seen her grandson breaking and she tried to glue him back but her grandson could never see a purpose or reason to heal and finally after years she found that purpose in Nandini. Meanwhile, Manik's had a pretty emotionally exhaustive day and while discussing about the puja to be held on the coming day, the emotions built upto the point where he choked, his breathing ragged and heart started beating wildly. Dadi panicked and handed him a glass of water before rummaging his drawer for his blood pressure medication. He swallowed a tablet that she passed and within minutes, his pounding pulse came back to near normal. Dadi made him lie down and he obliged without any opposition because he was actually tired- mentally as well as emotionally. She said nothing and patted his head until he fell asleep.
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Next day Manik woke up in his old room but what took him by surprise was the presence of Nandini next to him.
Nandini – Oh you are up...come out fast, we are on the terrace..we have to do something very very important...!!
Saying this she stormed out of the room without giving him any chance to ask any questions. About 20 minutes later, Manik joined Nandini on the terrace where Fab5, Navya, Abhi, Dadi, Neil and Neyonika were already waiting
Manik – What's up guys...anything serious..!!
Nandini – Manik come here...see this railing has caught rust...we need to change it...!!
Manik – Nandini what's the rush, we'll change it later
Abhi – No Manik we have to change it right now and this precisely why we are here..!!
Manik – But why..??
Nandini – I'll explain, come here
Nandini took him next to the railing and then spoke in a low sound only audible to him
Nandini – Manik, standing next to this railing we broke up...and now this railing has caught rust which means that it needs to be replaced with the new one which would in turn mark the start of replacing every bad old memory with a pleasant new one...So are you with me in this..??
Manik – Give me the screw driver...guys there are a few screws here so I guess everyone will have to chip in.
About 2 hours later, the railing was replaced. The prayer in the memory of Manik's parents was held in the afternoon. Nandini ensured that everyone is around Manik and that he never felt alone on the day. Around evening, Nandini found Manik staring at his parent's picture
Nandini – They are really proud of Manik..!!
Manik – I hope so..!!
Nandini – But I am sure that they are...they are proud of the wonderful human being you've evolved into, they are proud of the compassion and care you hold within yourself, they are proud of how you held your friends together, of how you've been their support system, they are proud of how you've brought me out of my shell, close to everyone else, and next to you..
Manik – You would always be next to me right...!!
Nandini – I am not going anywhere Manik...I will always be next to you and even if I try I know you would pull me back..!!..So this time apart from you professional achievements, do write about this in the letter as well..!!
Manik – Thank you Nandini..!!
Nandini – Oh...so now you'll thank me haan..toh I toh should thank you like every second...thank you Manik..thank you Manik..thank you Manik..!!
Manik – Acha baba I get it...I won't thank you..!!
Nandini – Come let's go for Holika Dehan and allow all the negativity to burn in that fire but before that I have something for you (she gave him a cassette), You parents made it for you, I guess on your first b'day, Yesterday I went to their room and found this...you need to hear this..!!
Manik rushed to room and took out the old cassette player and started paying the cassette. The moment his parents voice hit his eardrums, a smile adorned his face
Manik's Dad – Hey little boy, you are an year old..grown up haan...!!
Manik's Mom – Grown up into a strong baby and soon you would be growing up into a strong Man..a man your Dad and I would always be proud of...You are our star Manik, the star that shines brightest in the sky..but do not worry when cloud covers you..always remember that the clouds keep moving, one day they will be all over you while on the other day they might cover someone else...Remember to shine even when the cloud is over you for that is what you are supposed to do...you are supposed to shine always...that's your purpose, not to let go of the shine...I know it is too early to tell you all this for you are just one year old but don't worry we'll keep telling you this again and again, for only then this little one year old will become the strong man like his father..!!
Manik's Dad – and when you do we want you to know, no one is perfect...we make mistakes, sometimes minor sometimes grave but making mistakes is okay, what is not okay is not rectifying them...So we will be really mad at you if you don't rectify your mistake...so always look for setting the wrong right...that would make you a humble, honest man...Spread love...you've got a lot of it in your heart...so as you grow up make sure you spread love and compassion...Remember we are your parents...we might be mad at you but we will never be ashamed of you...You will always be our Pride...and nothing will ever change it..!!
Manik's Mom and Dad together – We love you Manik..we love you with all out heart...Stay blessed always..!!
Manik had tears in her eyes, so did everyone else who were listening to this standing at his door. They all shouted together in sync, "We love you Manik". Manik turned around and took everyone in a group hug. When everyone started leaving, Manik held Nandini's hand to stop her. Nandini turned around and Manik took her in a bone crashing hug.
Manik – To our new beginning.. Thank you for today...!!
Nandini (tightening the hug) – You are welcome Manik..!!
Everyone burnt the negativity in the fire of Holika and the next day allowed the colors to paint their lives yet again. Life is all about second chances, it is about learning from mistakes and coming back stronger.
"People aren't always what you want them to be. Sometimes they disappoint you or let you down, but you have to give them a chance first. You can't just meet someone and expect them to be everything you're looking for and then be angry when they're not every hope and aspiration you projected onto them. It's foolish to believe that someone will be what you imagine them to be. And sometimes, when you give them a chance, they turn out to be better than you imagined. Different, but better." - Chloe Rattray
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srishti_chakraborty Thank you for the scene...hope you like the way your words made their way in the update
With this, we come to an end of the part 2 of growing closer...I seriously genuinely hope that you all love the update...
The response received to the previous update was brilliant...For the first time I crossed 90 comments for an update...that has never happened to me before...So I am happy...!!!
Please read my interview published in tanaya02's book "Stepping into the writers world"...My interview number is 13..!!
Thank You everyone for the support..!!
That's it from me for today...See you guys..Cheers..!!