Nandini
Time flies.
You really never come to know how your time passed when it is exceptionally good and that too with the best bunch of people around.
Diwali passed by with gallons of fun and ofcourse eating tons of sweets. I still remember how manik and Cabir were literally hogging those sweets as if they were having them for the last time and I still tease manik for that but he is least affected, rather he says "food is bae nandu and I am proud being a foodie"
He's such a kid!
Nevertheless he is one serious and overprotective person when it comes to his friends and family unlike the child that he is infront of me. That reminds me of the discussion we had last month regarding whatever that jerkshad did to Bhai.
Flashback
Maddy: manik tune uss harshad ke liye kuch socha hai kya?
Manik: not really. Vaise bhi its Christmas and new years in a few days toh let that go and then we will think of something ya?
Cabir: ya uss harshad ne iss baar apni limits cross kar di
Mukti: this time I won't spare him. I have bared a lot because of him but ab aur nahi!
Alia: guys...mukti I am really sorry on behalf of bhai. Bhai ke vajah se you all have suffered so much, specially Abhi, mukti and nandini. I am sorry
She was in tears by now when dhruv took her in a side hug.
Nandini: alia you don't need to...yeh sab harshad ki vajah se hua hai and it is his responsibility to pay back for whatever mess he has created and not you
Alia: but he is still my brother...I am still his family and being his sister I cannot do anything but apologise. I never thought he could stoop so low for his baseless revenge
Manik sighed listening to her and hugged alia from the other side who was still sobbing in dhruv's embrace.
Manik: alia you know harshad was, is and will always be like this. Acha if I was in your place then would you ever let me apologise? No right? Then why are you apologizing? Stop crying baba...don't let harshad's evilness affect you so much. I know being his sister its pretty hard for you to cope with all these but trust me we will make everything ok soon....ya?
Alia simply nodded at him with a slight teary smile.
______________
That was the time when I was really proud of manik. His care towards his friends is something that makes me fall for him even harder without any regrets.
I was busy smiling in my reverie of thoughts when I felt two arms snaking around my waist and I instantly recognized that warm touch.
Manik!
"Merry Christmas star!"
He whispered down my ear and kissed my cheek.
I turned around still in his arms and faced him.
"Christmas? Its 12 already?" I asked amazed at myself on how lost i was in my memory lane. "Yup dear girlfriend, its 12 already and I guess we should move inside now as its getting colder if you are done with your star gazing that is because the last thing I want is you greeting sick on christmas" yeah....actually I was standing in my room's balcony lost in my thoughts that I never realised how cold it was getting outside.
I nodded at him and soon we settled down with me snuggled up between Manik's legs and he backhugging me.
Now that's what I call my safe place.
"Vaise what were you thinking?" he asked once we were properly settled. "Nothing much" I shrugged. "Okay....nevermind. Won't you ask me what I got you for Christmas? I thought you were excited for your gift" he asked me nonchalantly with slight amazement lacing his voice.
How could you forget your Christmas gift nandu!?
I excitedly got out of his arms and sat across him, cross legged asking for my present.
"Where's my gift" manik chuckled at my childish behaviour. "Still a kid for gifts huh" he said forwarding a neatly wrapped gift to me. "Wow! Such neat wrapping! I am impressed malhotra" "my pleasure Ms. Murthy" he played along making me giggle.
I quickly unwrapped the gift, making sure I didn't ruin that pretty Christmas paper. Seeing the gift I literally jumped on manik and I swear if he didn't balance us we would have broken my bed for sure!
Well, my gift was a pretty frozen necklace and earrings that I had always wanted since I was a kid, or since when I saw frozen for the first time to be precise and with that there was a pretty star charm bracelet which I couldn't take my eyes off from.
"Manik this is so pretty! Thank you so much" "well the pleasure is all mine milady" he replied dramatically whilst I giggled. "But manik seriously you remembered my long lost frozen obsession?" I asked a little surprised. "Ofcourse I do. Don't ever forget ki tumhara boyfriend banne se pehle I was and will always be your best friend ya?" all I could do was just smile brightly in return.
"Vaise I am hoping ki tum mere liye bhi kuch layi hogi....well I hope..." he said after some time. "Yup just wait here....I will be right back" I said and zoomed to my closet where I had managed to hide his gifts.
"Chalo open it" I said after I kept forward my gifts and settled down in anticipation of his response.
I hope he likes it.
I stared at him nervously as he began opening the box after unwrapping and after seeing the gift I guess I saw his eyes twinkle. I am not sure though but I think he liked it and soon he confirmed it too.
"Nandini this....this is so beautiful. Thank you so much" he said pecking my forehead and giving me his brightest smile. "Thank god you liked it. I was so nervous" I replied making him frown. "Why nervous? Never be nervous kyuki your choices are always the best and as always I loved this too so be rest assured" he stated nonchalantly making me smile. "Vaise how did you manage to get these personalized picks in such a short notice?" he asked admiring them. "Manik Malhotra ki girlfriend hu so I have my ways" i said flaunting myself and he laughed.
"This stars wala na is my personal favorite by the way" he exclaimed and I smiled seeing him happy. "Vaise I have another gift" I added. "One more?" he was actually surprised. I nodded and spoke "I know you don't use these very often but still you can you know..." I said giving him a guitar brooch and a guitar cufflink.
"Nandini Murthy these are the best gifts I could ever get!" he exclaimed happily like a child and I was happiest if he was happy.
We again resumed to our talking and cuddling after a while with manik timely pecking my shoulder or the side of my head from behind when out of nowhere he popped out a question.
"Nandu don't you think you need to thank someone?....you know for the Christmas gift...I mean don't you think he atleast deserves a proper thank you" he asked innocently but I exactly knew what he was pointing out at but I thought of playing along.
"Ofcourse manik...acha hua tumne yaad karvaya. I need to thank Santa na after all he got me so many gifts!" only I knew how hard it was to hide my smile. "Gift! Santa!? Like seriously nandini!? What are you? Five? Everyone knows there's nothing like Santa in this world and then there's you who wants to thank that stupid Santa rather than your poor boyfriend who put in so much efforts" he complained with that cute grumpy face of his. Aww.
"Manik you know you are too cute" I said pinching his cheek slightly. "Whatever" he was still grumpy so I partially turned around, still between his legs and pulled him forward by his collar, shocking him in the process. "Nandini what--" but I didn't let him complete and quietly whispered in his ear. "My silly boyfriend...I wasn't talking of thanking Santa Claus ,I was toh talking about thanking my personal Santa" saying so I lightly pecked his jawline. "Thank you my Santa!" and saying so I left him while he was still in daze of what just happened, his hand near his jawline where I had just kissed.
"Whoa! If I get such rewards then i am more than happy to be your personal Santa" he said once he composed himself, winking at me and I chuckled.
Soon we dozed off in each other's arms amidst talking, snuggling close to each other as we had an early morning next day. Oh did I forget to tell you we were going to exchange Christmas presents at 7 in the morning? I guess I did forget. Anyways.
The alarm went off as I sprung out of my bed after finally getting out of Manik's strong grip and rushed to freshen up. It was finally Christmas morning.
Come on! Who isn't excited for Christmas presents!?
I quickly freshened up and woke manik too, that is after he throwing alot of tantrums at me which I didn't mind at all and soon we were in my living room where we all friends sat making a circle and began exchanging our gifts. Seeing their smiling faces, I knew that this was my favorite Christmas and I would have never asked for more.
Hellooooo people! First of all a big thank you to all of you!! Its because of your love that this story ranked #2 in fanfiction. Well, it was unexpected for me but it sure made my day so thanks a ton for that and secondly, I know its late but still Merry Christmas amigos! I know I updated really late this time but I apologise cuz I have my prelims on the 4th of Jan and my boards in Feb so I don't think I will be able to give regular updates but I will try giving updates whenever I get some time. I hope that's fine with you people and hope you liked this chapter.
Happy reading.
Do vote and comment!