"Excuse Me.."the voice held Manik in his tracks. He had never heard this voice before in his life. He turned around to see the face of the person who interrupted him.

"Are you Manik.."the guy was walking toward Manik.

Usually Manik would have flashed his RENOWNED MONSTROUS GLARE but something stopped him..

...which was..

...none other than the expression that was carried by the guy who was approaching towards him.

He was looking at Manik as if he knew Manik since a long time. Though Manik hadn't met him before but some how he was experiencing the same feeling that was radiating off that guy..

...the sense of familiarity.

As if without even knowing anything about each other they both somehow knew each other.

Manik was lost in his thoughts which only got broken when the guy stood in front of him and said "You are looking for Nandini..right"

Manik's eyes widened in shock as he heard Nandini's name from a complete strangers mouth. "Yes I am..but who are you"

"Oh sorry.."the guy shook his head. "I forgot to introduce myself.."extending his hand towards Manik he continued. "I am Abhimanyu Thakkar...Guruma's student and someone who is like an elder and protective brother of Nandini."

"Abhimanyu..."Manik furrowed his eyes "..this names sounds familiar..which is strange because we never met before..then how come it.."before he could finish Abhimanyu finished his words "..feels as if you know me..right"

Manik nodded. "I guess you are a mind reader..but could you please put me out of my misery by telling me the answer to this question."

Abhimanyu smiled. "Mukti was right..you are a tough nut to crack.."

Mere mention of Mukti's name gave Manik the answer he was looking for. "Oh man..are you the guy to whom Mukti was supposed to teach guitar.."

"Yes.."Abhimanyu grinned. "The very same..and you happened to me Mukti's best friend Manik right.."

"Indeed I am.."Manik finally shook hands with Abhimanyu."But how did you know how I look"

"Simple..Mukti asked me too look for the tallest guy in the premise with extreme good looks..since you meet both the requirements I guessed it..and by chance my guess was correct."Abhimanyu's words made Manik smile. "In fact I know everything at least when it comes to how Mukti's best friends look.--of course courtesy of Mukti Vardhan"

"It's actually strange..it's only been a day that you have met Mukti but the way you are taking about her..and truth to be told the way she was talking about you..it really shocked us. I know Mukti since forever but I have never seen her like this..as if she is.."once again Manik was cut off by Abhimanyu as he finished his sentence"SMITTEN"

"Well your case is no different..the way you are talking about her tells a different story altogether."Abhimanyu could sense the change in Manik's tone.

"So this is exactly what Mukti was referring to.."Abhimanyu's words made Manik confused."what.."Manik asked.

"Over protectiveness.."Abhimanyu smirked which made Manik smile. "She is my best friend dude..of course I am going to be worried for her.."

"There is nothing to be worried about Manik..whatever is destined to happen it will happen..and I am in no hurry..everything needs time..and right now it's too early to say anything or do anything..so you can calm down for now..but I can assure one thing that I won't do anything ever that could hurt her in any way possible.."Abhimanyu's words somehow made Manik apprehension dissipate.

Though he didn't say much but Manik understood the true meaning behind Abhimanyu's words which cleared Manik's doubts.

"You are smart.."Manik complemented Abhimanyu.

"And you are late.."Abhimanyu's words once again confused Manik. "Late..for what.."

"You are late..in..I don't know may be wishing someone.."Abhimanyu answered casually which made Manik's eyes widened in horror as he realised what Abhimanyu meant.

"Oh crap..I forgot again.."he closed his eyes and slapped his eyes. "I got go.."opening his eyes he turned "I need to find Nandini.."he was about to leave when Abhimanyu said something that stopped Manik in his track.
"Do you know where she is.."

"No"Manik replied as he turned to look at Abhimanyu who was smirking "but you do..don't you.."

"Actually No.."Abhimanyu smiled. "..but I have something that can lead you to her.."

"Which is.."Manik questioned.

"This.."Abhimanyu extended a letter in Manik's direction "Nandini ask me to give you this..which would lead you to her..."

Manik took the letter from Abhimanyu who turned and started to walk from him but not before saying one last thing "Nandini is too precious Manik..don't ever loose her again.."

Manik simply nodded which made Abhimanyu smile. "Wish you all the best Man..May both your and her dreams come true."saying this Abhimanyu walked away.

Manik quickly opened the letter and started reading it.

-------------------------------------------------------

Manik.

I know you are looking for me..

I know you want to meet me..

And I also know that you want my birthday to mark a new beginning for both of US...

Trust me so do I..

...but before we can take a step toward our future.

...we need to put our past behind.

Because just like me..

...even you are affected by it.

In fact...

..you have suffered more...

...much more than me.

Yes..

I know everything Manik...

...everything...

...that happened with you in these last seven months.

How after breaking my heart even you broke down..

..and how badly you wanted to apologise to me.

That's why even after breaking things with me you were simply not ready to let go off me.

I still remember when I bumped into you after being humiliated by Harshad since I ruined our chances of winning Musicana because I was not able to perform..

I could clearly see that how your facial expression changed when you saw me..

...all broken and messed up.

You could have laugh at me..

...but you didn't.

But as I was too deeply hurt by everything I just left from there..

...but you didn't.

Yes Manik..

I know this...

...that while I was crying behind those curtains

It was you who was on the other side of it..

Yes Manik..

I knew you were there..

Though I didn't see you..

...but I felt you..

...as you silently pacified me...

...by just being there.

And after that...

...when Dhruv was pacifying me

You were the one who send those helpers to call Dhruv back...

...though you gave your performance as an excuse but the real reason behind your act was..

...that you couldn't see with any one else...

...not even Dhruv.

You tried your best to stay away from me...

...but you just couldn't..

..be it at the after party where though we were dancing with different partners but still I could see in your eyes that you were imagining us dancing together.

Then you asked me to leave so that I couldn't spend any more time with Dhruv

Even when you injured your heart while performing..

...you were just not ready to let go off me..

When the tent got dismantle on us and we both fell down..

...not even then.

Infact when we were at the hospital and that nurse was dressing your hand..

...still your eyes were and for me..

..and me only.

I always knew it Manik..

...but still I chose to overlook all these things as I was too hurt by your words.

In fact you even wanted me to stop you..

...that's why you said those words back then..

"..toh rok lo na Mujhe.."

But I was so hurt by your action that I didn't pay attention to the true meaning of your words.

I didn't even gave you a chance to rectify your mistake too...

...as I left Mumbai the very next day.

I agree Manik..

...I acted like a weak person who was too scared to face the reality..

...but Manik I didn't had a choice because by then you had become an a part of my life Manik..

...and I just couldn't imagine my life without you anymore..

...that's why I just couldn't face the fact that you weren't going to be a part of my life anymore.

That's why I left Manik...

...without you giving you a chance...

...without giving myself a chance...

...without giving US a chance...

...and that was the biggest mistake of my life Manik.

I should have stayed back...

...I should have fought back..

..rather than running away like a coward.

But I didn't...

...because of which you suffered.

You came back to apologise but you couldn't find me...

...you requested CHACHA-CHACHI over and over again but they didn't tell you anything as they promised me.

Cabir did broke the promise that he gave to me by telling you everything..

...but then too you couldn't come to me as Amms didn't allowed you to meet me.

In those seven months you lived a life of hell...

...because you wanted to be with me...

...in every second of every single minute of every single day...

...but you couldn't.

All you needed...

...all you craved...

...all you wanted...

...was me.

But then too you respected my choice by not over ruling Amms decision.

In those seven months you changed yourself completely..

...you became calmer...

...you started to think before doing anything...

...you didn't let your rage affect you..

...in short..

..you became everything that I wanted you to be...

...you became Nandini's Manik..

I know it hasn't been easy for you..

..but you still did all this for me..

...because unlike me..

...you had faith in US..

...you had hope for US.

You knew we would meet again and then I could see it myself that you have become everything that a guy can only dream to become....

...as you became My Manik.

I know your side of the story..

I know everything that you went through in those seven months..

...and even before that.

It will be only fair if you knew my side of the story too..

...so that we could become EQUAL.

But that could only happen when you will come and meet me at the garden near the outhouse.

You will get all your answers there..

...come soon Manik..

..as I am waiting for you.

-------------------------------------------------------

Tears were brimming in his eyes as he finished reading it..

...he was about to fold it when his eyes fell on the other side of the paper which made him smile once again..

-------------------------------------------------------

P.S. You wanted to my firefly theory na so today is your lucky day as I will reveal the answer to that question as well..

...come soon..

...can't wait ;)

-------------------------------------------------------

"Me neither Nandini.."Manik smiled as he shook his head in amusement. "Me neither"

And the very next moment he left to get the answer which would help him to embark a new journey with HER..

...this time...

...forever.

-------------------------------------------------------

A/N:-

Last chapter will be out tonight only.

There won't be any EPILOGUE.

So Chapter 23 will be last chapter of KYY : Life After Musicana.

Hopefully you all will like it.

See you all in couple of hours.

God bless.