There are always two ways to react to something that has been gone from your life. Reading a book completely is similar to that. The best way I believe is, to be happy that it happened, that you had a chance to experience it, in contrast to be sad that it’s over.
Like we all wished, MaNan had a fairytale wedding, accompanied by the closest of their friends. There’s a saying, “The bad news is time flies and the good news is you are the pilot”
The characters in our story, as we all know are amazing pilots. They realized what matters them the most. Manik gifted Nandini with her long lost family and Nandini gifted Manik with acceptance, she made his family hers’ and no sensible husband wishes for something for more than that.
As we read in the first part, that when you decide to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. While it took them a while to start, as they promised to us, the two differently same souls ended up making promises for life.
The interaction that started with “Meine aap ko kahi dhekha hain” ended with, “Mein tumhe dhekhe binaa ek pal bhi nai reh sakta hoon”. What else do we wish for in a happy relationship.
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About two years later-
“Acha Manik, who do you think this baby is going to be? A girl or a boy?” Nandini asked placing her hand on her tummy, that was almost ready for labor.
“Girl” he said.
“Oh! So sure huh? You know what even my instincts say it’s going to be a girl. I have read somewhere that mom’s instincts na, they are always right” she said with a smile.
“Hmm” he said.
“What hmm?” she asked.
She was sitting on the rocking chair specially made for mothers and he was on the bed working on a file,
“Give me two minutes” he said and walked to the balcony with his laptop. He had to attend a call.
A similar scene was witnessed downstairs in the living room as well.
The living room of Malhotra Mansion. That was the surprise by Nandini for Manik on their wedding.
She got the Malhotra house ready to live, so they can start their new journey, in the presence of their parents.
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The day after their wedding
“Nandini ek toh mein poora raat nai so paaya tumhaari wajah se” he said and that was making her shy. Well, it’s pretty obvious, ain’t it?
“Manik husshhh” she said putting her finger on his lip and he stole a kiss.
“God Manik! Tum kabhi nai sudhroge, now keep your mouth shut and turn around” she said.
“Turn around when i am sitting?” he asked.
“Yes, that side” she said and he turned around.
“By the way, where were everyone gone, i couldn’t see anyone in the house” he asked.
“Arre now stop with your hundred questions” she said and tied a ribbon around his eyes.
“Yeh tum kya kar rahi ho?” he asked.
“Surprise hain, thodi hi der mein pata chal kaayega” she said.
“Tumhaare chakkar meine dhekha bhi nai ki ham kaunsi route mein jaa rahe hain. You can’t look so beautiful, woh bhi itni subah ko” he said.
In ten more minutes, the car came to a halt.
“Okay! So we are here” she said.
They were infront of the main door of Malhotra house.
“Okay, now i am going to uncover your eyes, shock ho ke faint mat ho jaana, i can’t pick you up” she said and on a count of three, she untied the ribbon.
He rubbed his eyes for a moment, and the next moment, he was taken to extreme surprise to witness the place infront of him. He got down the car, followed by her.
His friends were waiting at the main door, Alya with the Aarti thali in her hand, Dhruv and Abhi with the camera.
“Surprise” they screamed at the top of their voices.
“Oh My God! This is unbelievable. Nandini, yeh sab tum ne kab kiya? The house looks so new and beautiful. You got it all painted?” he asked looking around. There were new plants in the garden, with colorful flowers bloomed, a small water fountain near the garden.
“Yeh meri taraf se tumhaare liye wedding gift. You like it?” she asked.
“I love it. This is the best gift ever” he said hugging her.
“Abey, main door par hi romance? Andar toh aa pehle” Dhruv mocked at him.
“Guys! Agar iss mein aap logon ka bhi haath hain, toh thankyou very very very very much. I really owe you all big time” he said, trying hard to control his tears.
Nandini offered him, the corner of her saree pallu, and he wiped his tears with it, while the scene was perfectly captured in frame by Abhi.
Alya and the rest of the girls took their aarti, and with all the rituals, they stepped in their new home, that had been long awaiting them.
“Mein sach mein bohot khush hoon, thankyou Nandini. You’re the best” he said.
“I love you” she said in reply.
“I love you more. Forever” he said.
She took him around for a house tour, though it was his house, there were many new things to see.
“I made sure i won’t disturb anything inside, it’s exactly how mom placed things, i just made a few touch ups” she said, making sure it won’t hurt him.
“Whatever you do, is beyond perfect” he appreciated her efforts.
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Two days later, it was finally the time. Nandini was in terrible pain, and no one could control her screams. It was so difficult for Manik to handle her.
“Nandu, princess relax. It will be fine, mein hoon na tumhaare saath, i am going to be there, next to you” he said patting her forehead as she was being moved into the OT.
“Nai ho raha hain Manik. It’s terrible” she said still crying.
“Nandini, you are strong, and you can do this, right? For our baby? For us? You know this baby means the world to us. I know i can’t even imagine what you’re going through. But i am sure you’ll endure all the pain. Please calm down honey” he said.
They were finally in the OT. soon the gang also joined them.
Navya was at home, taking care of her one month old son, Ayush and Mukti’s daughter Zara.
“I hope Manik andar doctor ko maar nai raha hain, woh nandini ko rothe dhekhega toh kuch bhi karega” Cabir was trying to be funny.
“Tu kab sudhrega” Mukti gave him a spat.
“Abey” he spat her back.
“Guys bas bhi karo ab tum donon” Alya glared at them.
They were waiting and waiting and waiting to hear that baby’s shrill, when they finally heard one.
“Yaaayyy” they all cheered from outside, waiting for the door to open.
In two minutes, the doctor and her team came out.
“It’s a girl” she said.
So both mom and dad’s instincts were right.
“Wooohooo… doctor kya ham andar jaa sakte hain?” Alya asked.
“We’ll shift her to the room in five minutes and then you can see the baby” she said.
They all enquired the room number and ran upto the room. Cabir brought the party decor they had in the car and in the very little time they had, they decorated the room.
Manik’s new family finally came into the room. Nandini was on the stretcher and the baby was in the cradle. Manik was seen standing behind Nandini’s stretcher.
“Congratulatons Mommy and Daddy” they all screamed.
“Shush...this is a hospital” the nurse threatened them.
“Awwww. This is such a cute room. You guys made all these?” Nandini asked looking at the room.
“So mumma likes it, okay now we want to see the baby” Dhruv was the first one to get excited as he is the only one who’s not yet a dad.
The gang let him see the baby first.
“Awwww. She looks a lot like Manik, but she has Nandini’s chubby cheeks. Guys she’s adorable” he said lightly touching her cheeks.
Alya was next.
Everyone took turns to adore the baby. And last was Cabir.
He was looking at Manik who had a whole different expression on his face.
He was happy, surprised, emotional, and a little scared.
Understanding the sambar of emotions he had, Cabir walked up to him.
“Kya sambar khichdi pak raha hain dimaag mein?” he asked.
“It feels like i have mumma back” he said. His eyes were red. He has been controlling his tears for a while now.
“It’s not just you, we all have mumma back and all thanks to my darling sister” he said looking at Nandini, who was busy playing with the baby with the rest of the gang.
“Mein bohot khush hoon yaar, sach mein, this is the biggest happiness of my life. I thought marrying her was the biggest happiness for me, but this overtook that in every possible way. I feel complete today” he said hugging Cabir.
And then the rest of the gang noticed them.
“Tum donon hamesha apni ek alag duniya mein rehte ho” Mukti said looking at them.
“Sab mumma aur baby ke peeche pade hain, bechara daddy ko koi nai dhekh raha tha, toh socha mein hi baat karloon” Cabir said.
Nandini looked at Manik and could easily smell the sambar in his head.
She signalled him to stand next to her. He came forward.
“Haath dhikhaao” she said.
He extended his hands and then she placed her in his arms, for the first time.
His hands were shivering.
“Careful” she said. And now his tears were unstoppable.
“Manik?” nandini was shocked to see him cry.
“Manik? Kya hua? You’re crying?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I just can’t hold them back. I have been trying” he said. His tears fell on the baby’s hands and the next moment she started crying too.
“Ayyo, baby ko bhi acha nai laga aise papa rote hue” she said taking her back.
After pacifying her in her own way, the baby finally was silent.
“Sorry. Can i have her now?” Manik asked.
She gave him again and this time there was a bright smile on his face.
“Welcome little one. This is your Dad, and he loves you so much” he said.
They spent two more hours there, the baby fell asleep and the gang also left for home. Cabir stayed behind, as Nandini asked Manik to go home, freshen up and then come back. He insisted on staying, but it’s the wives who always win an argument.
“Thankyou Nandini. Manik ko meine itna khush kabhi nai dhekha, trust me, pehle kabhi nai” he said holding her hand.
“This is indeed the biggest happiness of my life too bhai. Aur mein bohot khush hoon, ki he feels like he has his mom back in our baby” she said. Her face had that content smile.
They talked for sometime, and then Nandini took a nap. Later in the evening, the gang joined them again, Deepika and Aryaman connected with them through facetime. Arika was so excited to see the baby. “Tiny baby” she kept telling in her cute voice.
The next evening Nandini was discharged and the gang left no stone unturned to make their welcome grand.
Nandini’s grandparents were also there.
21 days after she was born, they had the naming ceremony, and their little baby was named, ‘Aarzoo’.
“She fulfilled that wish we had for a long time, and that’s why we name her Aarzoo” Manik explained.
A year passed by with the kids growing older, and becoming naughtier.
So one fine day, Nandini sent everyone a location, where she wanted the entire gang to be there.
No one knew why.
The guys were the first ones to reach as they all were at the same place.
Alya was the last one to come.
They were clueless about what was happening. It was a private room in a restaurant, decorated with red heart shaped balloons.
There was a box on the table, wrapped and chairs were laid around.
The staff assisted them and they all settled down. They were served with drinks, but all they were looking for was Nandini.
Her phone was not reachable. And Aarzoo was also missing.
“What do you think she planned this time? It’s not your anniversary or something right?” Cabir asked Manik.
“Nai yaar. I don’t know. Uss ne kuch nai bataaya, meri subah bhi baat hui thi” he said.
And then the lights turned off and the only light visible was from the projector.
They could see pictures, with text written on them.
And a few pictures from their Goa trip, a few from the weddings of the gang, and finally the presentation ended with a picture of Manik, Nandini and Aarzoo.
“Manik” they could hear Nandini’s voice, and now the lights turned on. She was looking extremely beautiful wearing a peach color long dress.
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Nandini
Hufff…. I am nervous. These are going to be my last few dialogues here.
Okay, so how did you like the name of my daughter? Was it too cliche? Or difficult to pronounce? Or you absolutely love it? Coz i do.
You know what Manik means to me. He is my life. He is my eternity. And there is no happiness beyond him for me. My friends always used to tell me, to keep my heart open, so could come inside, help me get better and live well. I was adamant to do that, until i met him.
When i met him for the first time, i didn’t know we would be writing such a beautiful love story, but somehow things turned that way. Every moment i spent with him, i locked it in my heart, so i could never forget. He gave me happiness, he gave me love, he gave me tears, he gave me the biggest gift of my life...our wedding, and then Aarzoo. There is nothing i could do to match him, and his efforts he has been putting to make our story, the best story you guys could ever hear of.
Do you think his efforts paid off? Say yes or no, please.
So,i decided to give him something special, so we both, and everyone who is a part of our story, could never forget us.
And then, I landed up with my very own first published novel, ‘A Beat That Matched Mine’ written by me, for my man.
And today i am going to reveal the book and that is why i have them all gathered here.
Guys, it was an amazing experience to be a part of this wonderful journey, to witness so much love you all showered upon us. Every time you guys thought, you could have a nandini or manik in your lives, our love story got stronger.
With all the love in my heart, i thank you all for being part of our journey, and for letting us travel together with you.
I hope you find your love soon.
And yes, Manik is going to talk more about the book, so, Good Bye and see you all soon in another wonderful story
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Manik
This girl is a total package of surprises. Since the day i promised to be there for her, either beside herm following her or guiding her, i made sure i make the promise true. But more than me, she worked hard on that promise. And i am so glad to find a partner like her.
The surprise she gave me in Disneyland, her surprise game started since then and it has been never ending. I never imagined to have this kind of a girl in my life. For me who is more calm, i thought i would find someone like me, but then God, i mean mumma and pappa, planned something different.
Like i always say, she helps me complete those missing pieces in my life. Everytime i hold her hand, i go down on a ride to paradise. I always found the perfect rhythm for my heart when she was by my side. Until i met her, i was anticipating for someone who could connect with me, who could turn out to be a miracle for me, and she has been the best miracle i could ever have experienced. She made me want to become stronger, so she could lean on me anytime, so she could have my back, in any situation. And that kind of love doesn’t happen often. After mom and dad’s death, i was aimless. I didn’t bother too much about life, because you never know when death comes to you. But after meeting her, i felt like living more. So i could experience life with her, so i could fulfill all the promises i made to her.
Anyway, I keep talking, but right now, the question is, what is that new surprise she has now?
“Nandini, yeh sab kya hain?” i asked her.
“Surprise” she said.
“Okay! So what’s the surprise?” i asked.
“I made sure, none of you forget any moment of our lives, forever. Family, you have been amazing, I never thought I would be able to have a home that had people who loved me, who would go to any extent to protect me, who could sing for me every night, who would cook for me, who would become that superhero whenever i was in trouble, who would be my personal stylist, who would mean the world to me. So thank you for being everything i ever wished for. And now it’s time to payback” she said with teary eyes. Her voice was shaking.
I walked up to her took her in a hug, and then she gestured toward the box that was on the table.
“Could you please unwrap the box?” she asked.
I took the box in my hand and it was heavy. I untied the ribbon and then carefully unwrapped it, to find a brown color paper, covering something.
“Go ahead” she said.
And that’s it!
Nothing could get better than this.
I could read big bold letters, ‘A Beat That Matched Mine’ and her name on the top.
My darling wife is now the author of our beautiful story.
How can she even think of such things? This is totally out of the box for me.
“Are you serious?” i asked taking one book out of the box.
She nodded in yes.
The gang was equally surprised to have their own copies, signed by her with a personalized message for everyone.
“You are my star” i said kissing her cheek.
I opened the book to find my message,
“You are someone i consider precious than my own life, someone i would want to be in my every life.
With lots of love,
To the only love of my life.
- Mrs. Malhotra”
She is truly a blessing in my life, and i thank stars for sending her to me.
So, on this wonderful note, I bid adieu to my lovely family out there, who enjoyed every bit of our happiness, who cried along with us, who supported us in good and bad.
For all those, whose beats matched with us, every moment,
Lots of love and happiness.
Your MaNan. ❤️💓💕