The week passed in a jiffy and hardly a few hours were left for nandini's birthday but the birthday girl was sitting sadly gazing the stars in her balcony when she felt someone's presence beside her. She looked the other side to find manik sitting there grinning at her.
Nandini: what? Why are you smiling so much?
Manik: you tell me....why so sad?
Nandini*coldly*: what is there to be so happy ha?
Manik: star kya hua?
He asked chinning her face making her look at him.
Nandini: nothing!
Manik: star bolo na
Nandini: that...that idiot friend of mine! Gadha kahika! Jabse I have shifted back to India not for once did he call bas ek week tak we used to talk in messages and ab toh we are not even in touch. Its been so long that we talked. Ab toh arya bhi yaha aa gaya...I wonder what is he doing there all alone. Ek baar agar voh mil gaya na mujhe manik then i will teach him a proper lesson
She huffed angrily while manik got busy thinking about this friend of hers whom she was missing so much.
Manik: nandu tum kiski baat kar rahi ho? Kaunsa friend?
Nandini: hai ek Mr. Khadoos
Manik*laughing*: khadoos! Like seriously?
Nandini: manik stop laughing na!
She whined and hit his arm playfully.
Manik: acha ok sorry but hai kaun yeh Mr. Khadoos?
Nandini: chodo na I don't wanna talk about him. Main tumhe fir kabhi bataungi
Manik: ok
He agreed not wanting to irritate her or spoil her mood.
Manik: these stars are so beautiful na?
Nandini: I know. Yaad hai I used to hate them at one point but you were the one who taught me to love them
Manik: hmm
Both sat there admiring the stars. Manik had his one arm wrapped around her shoulder to keep her close, nandini resting her head on his shoulder, both gazing the starry sky in content in the silence of the night. No words exchanged between them, just each other's company and the peaceful silence of the night. Nothing more was needed.
After some time manik checked his watch and started getting up along with nandini.
Manik: chalo nandini get up. I wanna take you somewhere
Nandini*looking at the time*: manik abhi? Its 11pm manik. Itna late hum kaha jaenge?
Manik: kitne questions puchti ho yaar....just come
Nandini: aise? In my night suit?
She exclaimed.
Manik: so?
Nandini: what so? I need to change atleast
Manik: nandini listen its ok...you look good...yes! So lets get moving
Nandini: no! Either I am changing into something decent or we are going nowhere
She said stubbornly and manik had to comply.
Manik*sighs*: ok fine but make it quick. You have 5 minutes only
Nandini nodded and went to her room to get changed leaving a waiting manik behind.
The door of her room opened exactly after 5 minutes and she came out dressed in a simple yet cute oversize crop top and hot shorts, her hair left open looking pretty as ever.
Manik heard the door click and looked up from his phone which had kept him busy till the time nandini came and his jaw dropped. He was literally ogling at her with shock plastered on his handsome face at the same time.
Nandini: hey
She said appearing in front of manik who stood up with his mouth hanging open as a reflex, his eyes still not leaving her.
Nandini: Tum itne shocked kyu ho?
Manik*coming back to reality* : you never stop to amaze me ha....these clothes...
Nandini: is there anything wrong with it?
Manik: no no its just you never used to wear such clothes. Even after returning from NY you wore clothes which you know reached till your knee but this...(pointing at her hot shorts) is new
Nandini: but you see mukti and alia wearing such clothes na toh tum itne shock kyu ho gaye?
Manik: its because....you are different
He said staring right in her eyes, his tone husky that were sending chills down her spine.
Nandini: oh
Was all she could say. She was looking down, not able to meet his gaze.
Manik: so lets go then?
Nandini: ya but first tell me how do I look?
She asked twirling around to flaunt her dress.
Manik: you look....uh you...(clearing his throat) you look hot
He said looking everywhere but her while she blushed profusely biting her lip.
Nandini: thank you
She replied meekly as they made their way towards their destination.
***
Nandini: manik batao na where are we going?
It was the nth time nandini asked this question as soon as they begun with their journey but manik was in no mood to answer her questions and was easily ignoring them which was making her all flustered. Manik was loving it all and enjoying at her cost. A smile escaped from his lips seeing her cribbing but he hid it because he did not wish to piss her more.
Nandini: manik!
She cribbed.
Manik: offo nandini chill....we are almost there...vaha pohochne ke baad khud hi dekhlena
Nandini pouted angrily and turned around to stare out of the window so that she could atleast guess where manik was taking her, muttering a series of harmless profanities under her breath. Manik chuckled seeing her but nevertheless made no comment nor did he tease her.
Finally they reached their destination and manik switched off his car's ignition.
Manik: Chalo Ms. Grumpy face we reached. Don't you want to see where we are?
The next instant nandini hopped out of the car keen to know where they were. She started walking ahead when manik held her wrist and stopped her.
Manik: are wait you need to put this on first
He said showing her the blindfold. Nandini frowned in confusion.
Nandini: but why?
Manik: surprise
He whispered down her ear.
Manik: so may I?
Nandini nodded and manik tied the blindfold making sure it does not come out.
Manik: before you ask questions let me inform you that you don't worry I will not let you fall and ya hold my hand and walk as I guide you
Nandini: I trust you manik
And this was it for manik. A huge grin broke out on his face and he held her hand and started walking.
Nandini: manik aur kitna time?
Manik: bas two more steps nandini and we will be there
He answered patiently and after a minute or two manik opened her blindfold asking her to slowly open her eyes.
Nandini opened her eyes slowly and looked around with amazement. She gasped seeing the mesmerizing view in front of her eyes and started squealing in delight.
Nandini: beach!! Thank you so much manik! I just loved it....its so beautiful. No no actually beautiful is an understatement.
There they were on the beach, lighted with candles all around. It was simple yet attractive just as nandini liked.
Manik: this is not it nandini
Manik whispered down her ear and nandini gasped again.
Nandini*shocked* : there's more?
Manik nodded and led nandini to the far end of the beach where lay a kind off wooden gazebo with a small table at the center and neatly arranged cushions and a mattress on either sides with some candles illuminating it.
Nandini stood there frozen in awe, busy admiring it. She had no words, she was rendered speechless. She didn't know how to express her happiness and so chose the best way that she could. She jumped upon manik, squeezing him in her hug shouting countless thankyous. Manik was taken aback by this sudden act of hers and had almost lost his balance but anyway recovered soon and wrapped his arm around her waist, hugging her and prevented them from falling flat on the soft sand.
After a while they broke the hug and manik could clearly see nandini's face glowing and beaming with happiness that gave him peace.
Manik: liked it?
He asked her meekly.
Nandini: seriously manik! You are asking this even after seeing the crazy things I just did?
She asked in disbelief and he nodded his head sheepishly.
Nandini: manik I just loved it! Every bit of it....its so..so pretty..aah..I don't know what to say...thankyou so much manik but why this surprise suddenly?
She asked getting confused in the last.
Manik*surprised*: don't tell me you forgot nandini
He asked not believing her.
Nandini: what manik?
She asked confused.
Manik: wait....you will know
Just as he completed his sentence, fireworks started in the sky grabbing their attention and after a moment something appeared in the sky that made happy tears flow out of nandini's eyes. It read-
And the best part was the stars forming it for her. Never in her life had she felt so special ever.
Manik: happy birthday my shining star!
Manik whispered back hugging her just as the clock struck twelve and nandini admired the sky and then slowly turned towards manik, still locked in his arms and tears flowing out of her eyes.
Nandini: is this real?
She asked softly, manik nodded wiping her tears and placing a long buss on her forehead. Nandini looked in his eyes for much needed assurance which she got and then hugged him tight whispering a heartfelt thank you. If manik was not concentrating then he would have missed it but the silence helped him hear her clearly. In response he just tightened the hug, burying his face in the crook of her neck, hiding his face in her hair while she snuggled in his chest to seek his warmth as the sky shone bright with stars emmiting their light in the darkness of that peaceful night.
I hope you liked it because personally I really enjoyed writing this chapter.
Happy reading.
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