"Wow.."was all Manik could whisper.

He was shocked..

He was stunned...

...as he saw the beautiful view right in front of his eyes.

Who would say it was the backyard of the Gurukul..

...because right now it was looking as an exact replica of what heaven might look for real.

It was mesmerising...

...as it looked beguiling..

Looking at it Manik felt too enchanting as if it was place that was brought right out of a fairy tale--as the entire backyard was decorated with soft muted lights.

But what really caught Manik's eyes was a particular jar that was glowing too brightly.

On taking a closer look Manik realised that it was a jar filled with fireflies..

...that was glowing..

...too brightly.

Creams colour curtains that were beautifully tied up with the branches of the nearby tree were flowing in their own direction.

The entire place was so beautifully decorated which looked as a perfect setting required for expressing one's true feeling in front of the person--who happens to be that person's whole world.

Manik was spell bound by the entire set up.

He was finding it really hard to believe that she wasn't dreaming.

"Beautiful"he said dreamily.

On taking few more steps Manik finally reached the stairs of the patio that too was beautifully decorated with beautiful lights.

But the sight halted Manik in his track..

...because the setting looked very familiar to the one that was arranged by Dhruv..

...at Musicana.

Manik felt as if he was chocking...

...as he tried his best to not remember the incidence that gave unendurable pain not only to HIM..but even too NANDINI.

He was about to leave when he heard someone..

"Manik stop...don't go.."

He knew who's that voice belong to even without looking as he could even recognise her voice even in his state of utter unconsciousness.

"Nandini"he whispered as he turned around..

...but to his utter dismay..

...he couldn't find her.

"Where are you Nandini.."Manik looked around but he couldn't see her anywhere.

"I am right here Manik.."he once again only heard her voice but couldn't find her.

"Nandini what is all this.."Manik scowled. "What kind of a game is this. Come in front of me right now.."

"I will Manik.."she replied. "But first hear my side of the story.."

"Nandini.."Manik was about to say something when Nandini requested. "Manik please..for me.."

Manik shook his head and agreed--though reluctantly. "Fine..go ahead."

"Manik I know that right now you are not understanding anything..but trust me Manik..by the end of it you will understand everything..."

"Manik..after my Appa-Amma died...I was lost.."

"I used to hate the stars because it was because of them I lost my parents..."

"But that's when I grew close to Music..as it used to calm me down.."

"However i never had the intention to make a career in it.."

"That's why even after learning Music for so many years i wanted to become a Science Student.."

"..even I came to Mumbai because I wanted to join the best Science College of the country."

"But as they say.."

"No matter how hard you try you can never run away from your destiny.."

"..and Music was my destiny.."

"..that's why I ended up getting a scholarship in the best music collage of the country without even trying"

"Though I didn't wanted to join SPACE but I still did because I wanted to use the money for Rishab's treatment "

"And as they rest is history.."

"I came across Fab5"

"I came across you.."

"But you know what.."

"That day when I held your hand to stop you from attacking Navya..that wasn't the first day we met.."

Nandini's words confused Manik. "Then..where was it.."

"At Mumbai-Bangalore Highway..where your car broke down and you all were stranded."Nandini's words started to clear the confusion in Manik's mind as the entire incidence flashed in front of him.

"Fab5 were returning back from Bangalore after performance and on our way back to Mumbai the car broke down..there was a bus too.."Manik replied."And while I was passing by the bus I bumped into someone who was holding a jar that was.."before Manik could finish Nandini replied "..covered right."

"Yes.."Manik replied. "I stopped that jar from falling..and that's when our hands touched just for a moment.."

"..and the next thing you knew the jar started glowing.."once again Nandini finished his sentence.

"I didn't see her face.."Manik was about to say something when once again Nandini cut in "..till the day she caught your hand to prevent you from throwing that piece of egg on Navya"

Manik's eyes widened in shock as he remembered the entire incident clearly now."It was..you.."

"Yes Manik..you guessed it right.."Nandini answered his question. "It was Me.."

Manik was too shocked to react or say anything so Nandini continued. "You wanted to know na what's my Firefly Theory"Manik simply nodded as his power of speech had deserted him.

"Manik Mom kahti thi...where there is fireflies na they celebrate true love..and where their is true love na..they glow..and that day when we both caught that jar together..it started to glow"

"See..look around Manik..it's still glowing."Manik did as she asked and smiled when her mother's theory was proved correct.

"You call me your shining star na Manik.."

"Then you are the reason why my fireflies glow"

Manik once again smiled at her words but didn't say anything as he knew she wasn't finished yet.

"We fought Manik.."

"And just like me..even you thought that we can never be cordial with each other."

"We pushed each other.."

"..but we never let each other break"

"Yes we did fight.."

"...but we survived those fights too"

"Just like you even I was broken Manik."

"I dreaded every single moment when you were not in front of me in those last seven months.."

"I lost my willingness to live.."

"..till the time you came back"

"..and in that moment I became alive again"

"I missed you like hell Manik.."

"...and just like you even I wanted to be with you"

"..that's why deep down in my heart I never loose HOPE.."

"...because I knew you would come for me.."

"...to take me back with you"

"And see you did.."

"I know what Amms asked you to do Manik"

"..but you won't have to work hard at all because my answer is yes.."

"That means.."Manik finally spoke as he couldn't contain his happiness.

"Yes..I will go back to Mumbai...to SPACE..with you"

"The reason why I made all these arrangements similar to that day..because I don't want US to get haunted by the memories of past mistakes"

"From today...we both will move only forward..taking that part of our past with us which had only give us reason to smile"

"Today it won't only be a new beginning for us.."

"...but today will also mark the day when we both will be free from the chains of our dark past so that we could only move towards our beautiful future..together.."

"Humesha " Manik questioned "You promise" Apprehension could be clearly heard in his voice.

"Nandini Promise"Nandini replied with such conviction that pretty much removed the last stain of doubt from his mind..forever."And now you can turn around.."

Manik did as he was asked and didn't regretted his action at all as finally Nandini was standing in front of him.

She was a sight to devour.

Though she was dressed in a red top and white jeans but that smile that she was wearing and the glow on her face make her look absolutely ethereal.

He was about to take a step toward her when once again she stopped him. "Wait.."which annoyed Manik like anything. "Now what.."

"Aren't you forgetting something Manik."Manik immediately realised what she was referring to so he immediately rectify his mistake "Happy Birthday Nandini.."then holding his ear he said "Sorry for being so late.."

"I will forgive you only on one condition.."Nandini folded her arms across her chest. "You have to do something for me..."

Manik raised his eyebrows as he replied."..and that is.."Nandini pointed towards something.

"Telescope.."Manik furrowed his eyebrows.
"Yup.."Nandini smiled."What am I supposed to do with that.."

"Arey you love stars na..so peep in..and check it out first.."Manik shook his head in confusion at Nandini's weird request. "What.."

"Yes Manik.."she made a cute face. "It's my birthday..so please.."

"Fine.."Manik rolled his eyes as he gave in. "But just once.."

"That will be more than enough.."Nandini gestured him to look through. "Now come on go ahead..."

"You are impossible Nandini.."Manik bent down and closing his one eye peeped into that telescope with the other eye.

And the very next moment his world stopped as he not only saw those precious words through the telescope but also heard Nandini saying it out loud.

"Manik..I love you.."

A smile appeared on his face as he looked up from the telescope..

...but he couldn't find her.

He looked around only to find Nandini on her knee smiling the whole time while looking at him.

"Hamesha.."

She extended her hands towards him that was close which he gladly took.

Opening it he saw a heart shaped box in her hand that he opened..

..and the next moment a firefly came out of it..

...which flew by both of them.

The scene itself brought a smile on both their faces.

Manik looked at Nandini who got up from the ground and was gazing back at her with nothing but love and adulation in her eyes for him.

"I wanted to gift you my heart..par woh toh mere pass hai hi nahi...it has been with you..for long..long time."

Nandini's words chocked Manik out of happiness but somehow he managed to say the words out loud."So does that mean..I am good enough for you.."

"Nahi " Nandini smiled as she replied "I am strong enough to stay it.."

The moment she said this Manik covered the distance between them in a blink of eye and pulled her off her feet.

Looking at her even he said those magical words to her.

"I love you so so much Nandini.."

"I love you"

His words not only brought smile on her face but also solace in her soul and peace in her heart.

Resting her forehead again his she closed her eyes.

Manik followed her suit and closed his eyes well.

...the next few moment that passed they both were drowned into this peaceful feeling..

..and when they both resurfaced..

...they were not Manik and Nandini anymore...

...as they became..

... Manan.

After what it felt like eternity they both open their eyes.

Manik kept her back on the ground while they both continued to look into each other eyes..

Finally Manik took his Nandini into his embrace where she went gladly.

...and the next moment once again..

...they both got lost into their own world as they took their first step towards their new journey together...

...only this time it will be...

...forever.

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

A/N:-

With this I officially announce the end of Kyy : Life After Musicana.

As I already stated before...

There won't be any EPILOGUE.

Because this is exactly how I planned this story to end from the inception.

I don't intend to show anything like their life after a particular period of time...

...as this story was based on a youth show...

...so by giving up a typical Epilogue..I don't want to destroy the essence of this story.

Hopefully my readers would understand my point of view as well.

I would like to thank each and everyone of you...

..for being so extraordinarily supportive of this story.

It's because of you all I am wrapping this story up being at the NUMERO UNO spot.

Yes my readers..

Kyy : Life After Musicana is ranked #1 In Short Stories.

Of course the credit goes to you all.

We are leaving as Number 1.

That's something to be extremely proud of.

So thank you all once again.

This story has ended...

...but our journey hasn't.

I will see you all soon in the other stories of mine.

...and thank you once again for everything my readers.

I love you all.

God bless.❤