16.1-Let's take a break...???


It was Friday evening and Nandini's little paradise had turned into messy hell and for once Nandini was not at all bothered.

Mukti – Nandu I have kept the all the sunscreens, creams and necessary toiletries in this bag..!!

Alya – What yaar...I wish I was staying with you...I mean all girls payjama party would've been so much fun..!!

Nandini – No worries Alya...we can still have a payjama party if you wish..You and Navya can always come our room..!!

Navya – Mukti I am so jealous of you..you get to say with Nandu while I'll have to share room with perennially hunger cribbing boyfriend of mine.

Everyone laughed hearing Navya's description of Cabir

Nandini – (controlling her laugh) This comes from some who has planned to share her entire life with him...!!

Alya – But seriously Mukti...Don't you think you should speak with Abhi...You guys are taking the argument a bit too far...!!

Navya – Exactly...listen color coordination nowhere implies that the entire outfit should be of the same color...it just means your dresses should be eye pleasing. You should look good together.

Nandini – Absolutely...Lets look it this way Mukti..there are certain colors you can't expect a guy to wear...come'on...Magenta, cherry Red, Bright colors won't suit Abhi...he would look really weird..!!

Mukti – I don't want to talk about it..!!

Saying this Mukti walked out...the girls sighed and shook their heads in disappointment

Alya – I can't believe it...she is being so unreasonable..!!

Navya – Ya she is totally behaving like a kid ....and because of her adamant nature I am unable to share a room with you Nandini..!!

Nandini – Oh God Navya...Please yaar...Let there be one kid in the group...Stop acting like a kid who has been deprived of her favorite chocolate....

Just then the Cabir and Dhruv entered..

Cabir – Chocolate...I hear "chocolate"....where is it..I am hungry already...!!

Navya – Look at the priorities...out of the entire conversation the only word that reaches his ears is a chocolate..!!

Cabir – Aray why are you so grumpy today Navya...I guess it was Mukti celebrating the Grumpy Day today..!!

Alya- She is upset because she won't get to share the room with Nandini on the trip..!!

Dhruv – Oh..now I get it..But Navya (Sid hugging her)why are you worried about a chocolate dear when we are giving you the entire dessert to feed on (pointing at Cabir)

Cabir – Waah Dhruv...I didn't knew you too had a sense of humor..!!

Dhruv – Happy realization Bro...Mine is way better than yours..

They all had a good laugh and Cabir along with Dhruv started helping the girls with their packing. Here in the balcony, Manik was lost in his thoughts..!!

...............Manik's POV...........

Last two days..We would we going back to Mumbai on Monday...I wouldn't lie it was an eventful week..I mean to begin with meeting Nandini after so many years and the fact that we, I mean me and Nandini, we survived almost 7 days without a massive fight that too when we are around each other almost everyday...now that's remarkable... then there's Dhruv and Alya's patch up..I mean yes they had not broken up officially but were moving rather cruising towards it...Thankfully Nandini helped me in sorting their issues...I wish we could put our issues too at rest as easily but Alas that is just not possible...and last night just reaffirmed this fact...

Last night after my birthday celebration...Oh wait..!! Me celebrating my birthday after years wasn't a mean feat either...the smile on everyone's faces when I sliced the knife through the birthday cake was priceless...the sight though gave me much needed relief but somewhere at some corner of my heart it pinched badly...I felt guilty of taking away these precious smiles off my friend's faces owing to my personal turmoil..My friends they stood by me but all they received in return was disappointment...I made a mental note of not letting that happen ever again...nonetheless..I needed to thank Nandini for that...I knew this wouldn't have been possible without her...and for a few moments, this urge of putting my guard down overtook my mind...I followed her to the terrace to say thank you but she surprised me again by wishing me...It was not her wish but the melancholy in her voice that told me that just like me she too had let her guard down and I couldn't stop myself from hugging her...I do not want to sound hopelessly romantic but the hug gave me the much needed peace and I held her closer...We took a break for a very brief moment...but every break needs to end for the life to move on and thus we parted ourselves...Our eyes were sharing the pain but the lips locked themselves in silence...God why is so difficult...I wish we could just stretch the break a bit...but alas I could only wish...!!

Anyways, today we are going to Mussoorie...It was Cabir's idea to spend last few days together in the lap of nature, away from the hustles and bustles of the monotonous metro life...Sounds like a great plan right...a trip that will sooth and calm our nerves but to be honest I am petrified...Why...??....Because just like my flute, the hills too are flooded solely with OUR memories...My family and friends were never fond of hills...but they fascinated Nandini..I still remember she was on cloud 9 when for a college project she had to visit A Vardhman Unit in Baddi near Shimla...instead of worrying about the project, this girl was all excited about the fact the she was in the hills with mountains all around her...

I clearly remember it was December and I was on a break since my college was closed...I was missing her like crazy and the sitting idle wasn't helping my cause either...Mukti had gone to visit her maternal grandmother in Punjab while the couples were busy with themselves...To top it all, her birthday too was approaching...so when I had enough of missing my girl, I decided to pack my bags and pay her a surprise visit...As luck would have it, the earliest ticket I could get was for 25th December, her birthday...I reached Shimla in the afternoon..I called her and she started complaining which was quite unlike her...I asked her where she was and she told me since it was a holiday, she and her friends had come down to Mall Road for some shopping..I realized I too was nearby and so asked her to reach to my location citing a surprise as the reason..she asked a few locals and told me it would take her at least 15 min to reach and I assured her that she doesn't need to worry as the surprise was more than happy to wait..She got terribly confused with my talks and asked me to stay on line while she headed towards my location..Here I was dreading to meet her...I remember I kept looking at myself through the mirror in the nearby shop and had set my hairs more than 5 times in those 15 minutes of waiting....After a wait which felt like eternity, I finally spotted her... My eyes were fixed on her as she I saw her walking, not actually running on the foggy street and inching closer to me. Her silhouette became clearer with every step she took. Finally she was in front of me in all her glory. My girl...she looked ethereal. I couldn't take my eyes off her...Oh Man !!! that was beautiful...A smile crept on my face as I remembered that moment...

"Manik"....I heard a voice that brought me out of my thoughts...I turned around and found Cabir looking at me questioningly...

Me – What..??

Cabir – What where are you lost...??

Me – Nowhere..are you guys ready..??

Cabir – Yes we are..let's move..!!

Me – Yes lets get going..!!

....Mussoorie....Here we come...I hope this time too Hills and me, We make great memories....memories that bring everlasting smile on my face...!!

.............Manik's POV ends............

Everyone gathered in the living room with their respective luggage. Abhi and Mukti still had a straight face and were not talking with each other. Mukti was the first one to leave the house with her luggage

Mukti – I am waiting in the car.

Abhi shook his head in disappointment. She was followed by Dhruv, Alya, Cabir and Navya

Nandini – Abhi I think you should talk to her..

Abhi – Can't believe you are already on her side Nandini..!!

Nandini – I am not on anyone's side Abhi...I just want to have a good trip but that is not possible with the two of you sulking...

Abhi – But..

Manik –Listen Abhi..we all know that she is being unreasonable right now...and I guess by now even she would have realized it but you know how she is..she wouldn't accept it...In a normal scenario I wouldn't have asked you to make up with her but right now we are on trip after ages and I want to make some really good memories and I certainly cannot ruin it because of a few pity issues so please just for this time try talking with her and sorting it out..Please

Abhi – Fine I'll try..!!

Nandini – Wow and I was taking sides...I mean I said the same thing and you refused while when Manik came up with the request you instantly accepted it..Looks like you guys are already a team

Abhi - Manik is something burning...Oh wait is it you Nandu...Burning with Jealousy..!!

Nandini - Haha...Now would you mind getting out..I need to lock the house.

Nandani locked the house and moved out. The group had decided to start for the trip in night . It was almost 7 hour drive and hence they decided to hire a car and leave late night around 12. It will give them an entire day in Mussoorie and the idea also brought with it the perks of a late night long drive with friends. Driving too wasn't a problem since all of them knew it so they could easily alternate. The first one to drive was Cabir with Navya sitting on the passenger seat , Abhi, Nandini and Manik in the middle row and Alya, Dhruv and Mukti sitting in the last row. The driver kept changing every 1 hour and so did the seating arrangements. When Dhruv took the driving seat, Alya took the passenger seat while Navya and Cabir joined Mukti in the last row. Dhruv was followed by Alya driving just like Cabir was followed by Navya. When his turn came, Abhi looked at Mukti who pretended sleeping and thus asked Nandini to join him in the passenger seat. Once he was done he asked Manik to drive,

Alya – Hey Manik wait, it is Nandini's turn.

Abhi – Ummm...Alya Nandini doesn't drive...

Navya – What...but you loved driving Nandini..

Nandini – I love a lot of things Navya...but (looking at Manik) I just CAN'T PUT SOMEONE'S LIFE AT STAKE JUST FOR MY PLEASURE..Right...!!

Manik – It is okay Abhi..I'll drive..!!

Mukti – Nandini you can come back, I'll sit with Manik as I have already taken a nap..!!

Abhi – Perfect time to wake up Mukti..!!

Cabir – Guys Please...!!

Everyone swapped their seats. The little banter between Mukti and Abhi had tensed the mood in the car so Navya spoke

Navya – Guys look out...It looks beautiful..Okay I have an idea...why don't we tell each other about the favorite hill stations..what say..!!

Dhruv – That is a real nice idea Navya but I am not very fond of hill stations..haven't been to may either so i have nothing to share...!!

Navya – No worries Dhruv...I'll start...It was one our school trips..we had gone to Darjeeling...It was beautiful, the tea plantations, the mountains, the zoological park..everything single place is crystal clear in memory...I can't really explain but to sum up beautiful is the word..!!

Alya – Navya..these mountains na they give you peace...My dad was in Army and my childhood was mostly spent in the lap of Himalayas due to his postings..But my fondest memories are of Kashmir...One should visit Kashmir at least once in their lifetimes..I mean it is a beautiful beyond explanation...I mean all I can say is when they say Kashmir is the paradise on earth, they are not lying..!!

Mukti – Wow Alya...Sadly I too do not have a favourite hill destination since I haven't been too any..to be honest..Mussoorie is my first...so looking forward to it..!!

Dhruv – You are going to love it Mukti..I have heard it is beautiful.!!

Manik – I don't know I mean with all the commercialization, the hills are losing their charm...but nevertheless the peace you get amidst these mountains, it is a pure bliss...!!

Abhi – True that...even Bade Papa, I mean Nandini's Dad, used to say the same...probably that is why he used to take us to hills for at least one vacation in a year...He was very fond of trekking, so whenever we used to visit Me, Nandu and Bade Papa used to go for a trek...it was like a customary tradition..My favorite place will always be Ladakh...Even Nandu's..we both love it..Right Nandu...your favourite hill station

Nandini – (Absentmindedly spoke) Shimla (Manik heard it and applied sudden brake bringing Nandini out of her trance)

Cabir – Manik..dude careful..!!

Manik – Sorry guys...Umm Mukti Can you please drive..??

Mukti – Sure Manik (And they exchanged their seats, Mukti stated driving)

Abhi – Shimla...when did Shimla became your favourite spot Nandu..As far as I remember It was always Ladakh..!!

Nandini – ..(A tear trickled down her face) Papa used to say every hill station is beautiful in its own way and the memories make it even more beautiful..Ladakh is indeed beautiful so is Shimla..!!

Abhi – (gave her a side hug)...Missing them...?? (Nandini nodded) We miss them too Nandu..but remember what Badi Maa used to say...Every song ends but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying the music right (Nandini nodded)

..........Nandini's POV...........

Navya brought up the topic of favourite hill station and my memory took me to the time when I used to visit these hill station with Maa-Papa...I mean I had best of my memories in the Himalayas...Then when they passed away I was too busy coping with the loss that these mountains which were once my peace started making me nervous...Then Manik came into my life and things started falling back in place..I started admiring and moving closer to the things I had distanced myself from after my parent's death...He did not erase my fears rather gave me reasons for craft new memories to overcome my fears...I was excited with the prospect of doing an internship Baddi during the winters of 2009 with a hope of making some new memories and here too he surprised me with a surprise visit on my birthday..I was really pissed off with him as he had called me only once on my birthday while I had thought of spending the entire day talking with him...He called me in the afternoon and asked me to reach to a location as there was a surprise waiting for me...When I reached, I found a 6 ft tall man standing in front of me... I was surprised, shocked all at the same time....For a moment I thought I was dreaming...I poked his hand numerous times and when he couldn't take it anymore, he pinched my shoulder.....It was not a dream....My man was right in front of me...then, at that moment he gave me another happy memory...Everything was so beautiful....so real....unlike now...when it all looks fake..!!

Sometimes I wish I hold his hand and ask him to Give us a Break....A break from faking...a break from everything that is wrong...Just one Break.

..................Nandini's POV ends..........

Nandini was silently sobbing on Abhi's chest, when Cabir asked Mukti to stop the car...!!

Mukti – What is it Cabir..??

Cabir – Its dawn Mukti...look the sun is rising..!!

Mukti – So..

Cabir –Everyone has a favorite hill station and memories associated with it but I don't...so I just want to make one....(everyone looked at him confusingly) Navya can you please come out...

Navya got down with Cabir followed by everyone else. Cabir held her hand and brought her in front of the car and kneeled down

Cabir – Navya, when I first met you, I never imagined that you would become such important part of my life. I know our families and friends know about us, we've been together for years now and would soon get married may be just after Mukti and Abhi's wedding...so technically, this proposal is really not needed but then it is the right thing to do since years from now when our kids would ask me how I proposed their Mom, I don't want to sound uncool by saying that it was fixed...So Navya I am blessed to have you in my life...you complain but still bear all my tantrums , you have stayed with me through all my highs and lows.. Crap I am just not that good with romantic words but still what needs to be done had to be done right...after all these years staying with you as become my habit...no wait..my necessity... "So Ms Navya Naveli at this hour when the dawn breaks, can you promise me to stay with me forever just like all these years...??"

Navya nodded her head in approval and hugged Cabir while everyone hooted for them. They came forward and hugged them one by one.

Abhi – Dude remember girls go crazy with the wedding stuff..so Beware..!!

Mukti – Navya a piece of advice....when your fiancé says he will fulfill all your wishes..remember he is just fooling around..

Manik – Guys please, Abhi and Mukti...please take a break and talk..you need it...(hugging Cabir)....Congrats Cabir...

Cabir – Thanks Manik (Cabir whispered slowly in Manik's ear) I hope you realize you too Need a Break and have a normal conversation..

Manik broke the hug and gave "What are you talking about ?" look to Cabir while Cabir retorted with "You can't fool me Man" look

Everyone settled down in the car and moved towards their hotel.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------End of Chapter 16 (part 1)-------

Here you go with part 1 of chapter 16... This chapter is quite long..After a long delay here's the update....!!

What has this visit to Mussoorie in store for everyone...??..

Will Mukti and Abhi sort out their differences..??... 

Will Manik and Nandini would take a break...??.....

What is with Nandini and driving...??....Stay tune to find out....!!!!

I really can't promise a time for next update but can assure you that it shall come up real soon..!!

Thank You everyone for the support..!!

That's it from me for today...See you guys..Cheers..!!

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top