In Manik's Car

Nandini: Mani, hum kaha jaa rahe hai..??

She's been asking this question for the past 30 minutes but he didn't even bother to reply to her question, instead he was saying only one sentence " It's a surprise " and since then she was banging her hand on the dashboard with an irritated look on her face..

Manik: Okay, we're here..

Nandini ( sarcastically ): Like, finally..

And she turned her head to the left to get confused..

Nandini: Mani..you..where are we, actually..?? There's nothing here apart from some buildings..

She turned to Manik, who was simply smiling at her and the got out of the car. While, she was still confused..

Nandini ( sighed ): Ye Malhotra bohath hi difficult hai..

Manik, opened the door for her and she got out of the car while holding his hand..

Nandini: Care to explain, at least now..??

Manik: Thoda tho sabr rakhiye, Madam..

Nandini: Thoda..?? It's been..uh, yeah 40 minutes since we left our home and then, now, you made me to stand in front of some buildings, like it's some business districts but still, all I'm getting to know is, be patient, be patient. Mathlab, can you just tell me wh...

Before, she could say something, she was shut by his lips and it turned out to be a soft kiss..

Manik: If you speak like this then I'm not gonna take my lips back from yours..You want it to happen..??

She looked at him with an annoyed look on her face which he ignored and took her hand in his and entwined them..

Manik: Chalo, ab tho mujhe bohath dikhana hai aapko..

Nandini: Don't talk to me..

Manik ( chuckled ): Of course, I will.

Nandini: Ugh..stupid Malhotra..

Manik: I know..But hey, it's only for you..

And this made her smile but she preferred to hide it which was noticed by him too. Soon, they started to walk..

Manik: Ab pooch kyu nahi rahi ho ki hum kaha jaa rahe hai..

Nandini ( casually ): Poochogi tho tum nahi bathaoge. Phir mein apna muh kholke usko dard dena nahi chahthe hai..

Manik ( sarcastically ): Kithna khayal rakhthe hai tum apna muh ka..!!

Nandini ( sarcastically ): Aw, thank you monster..

He glared at her and this time, she ignored him.

Manik: Chalo, hum pohanch gaye..

She looked up still with an irritated face, only to get confused..

Nandini: What is it..??

Manik ( curiously ): How does it look..??

She turned to him to see his curious eyes and she grew more confused..

Nandini: Why do you look so curious, Mani..?? Ye kaunsi building hai..?? We were in some business district but then now, we're actually in a garden area. Ye sab kya hai Mani..??

Manik ( sighed ): Tum bas ithna hi bolo, ki ye kaise lagi tumhe. You're a businesswoman. So, be Nanz and tell it..Trust me, I'll clear all your doubts..

She looked surprised but then too, she nodded at him, because she trusted him way too more..

Nandini: O..kay. If that's the case, then yes, I did like this building. It looks pretty much something related to business but then too, it has a natural aura. Like, its prettiness is simply amazing. Professional yet peaceful..You can say, I, Nanz, loved it..

And Manik smiled widely at her. He knew she was genuine over here..

Manik: That's all I wanna hear..

Nandini ( raised her eyebrows ): Now, it's time for my doubts to get cleared..

Manik ( smiled ): Well, madam, this building is something special. Special to your man..

Nandini ( frowned ): Special to you..?? Why so..??

Manik ( smiled ): Because, this is his first fruit that he has grown through his hard work..

She looked at him in shock. Her jaws were probably hanging down and he simply pushed it upwards while chuckling..

Manik: Be careful, Love. You shouldn't slip into a heavy degree shock zone..

Nandini ( stunned ): What did you mean by that, Mani..? You built it..??

Manik ( nodded ): Yup, I built it..

She looked at him with an amused smile and looked at the building with a lot of admiration in her eyes..

Nandini: I can't believe it. You built this building..

Manik: It has got a name, Madam..

She looked at him in confusion..He took her in a side hug and then stared at the building with a proud smile on his face..

Manik: This isn't some normal building. It has got a name. My Heartbeat. That's the name.

Nandini ( surprised ): My Heartbeat..??

He turned to her and smiled at her..

Manik: Yep. Yaani ki..tum..

She looked at him in shock again..

Manik: Manik Malhotra ke dhadkan ab tum ho. Kyunki tumahre bina tho kuch bhi nahi hoon, isiliye jab mein khud kuch karna chahthe the, apart from being a singer, I opted for it. A Music World. We're going to have everything over here. Right from a simple Harmonica to a Giant Piano. We'll be teaching the people to learn music. There's no age, simply they need to have willingness to learn Music, to know it's soul. Apart from that, we'll have a library related to Music again and a simple store for the varieties of music of the entire world. Music was always a part of our lives and it will always be in our future..

And by now, she was in tears. She looked at him with all the love in her eyes, while he panicked after seeing her teary eyes..

Manik: Love..kya hua..why are you crying..?? Didn't you like it..?? See agar tujhe pasand nahi aayi tho..

She stood on his toes and hugged him tightly making him to feel surprised, yet, he wrapped his arms around her waist..

Nandini ( sniffed ): You did it..for us, right..?? Wo 2 months, isiliye hai na..shadi se pehle, you wanted to be independent..hai na..

She turned to face him and got to see him smiling..

Manik: Yeah and Nah, because, its true that I did it for us. Jab tumhari shadi mere saath hogi na thab, tujhe ye lagna chahiye ki yes, you belong to someone who can fulfill all your desires. Haa ye sahi hai, that you don't need anything from me, I mean, like money, tumhare paas hai wo sab kuch phir bhi, as a husband, you would be wishing for something from me and I didn't want to feel that you're suppressing it just because of me. So, I decided to be that man who can stand on his toes, without anyone's help. You probably will be knowing that after marriage I will leave Dreamland. Par jithna mene earn kiya, usse tho kuch karna chahiye, isiliye kholna chahthe the ye Music World, I didn't want to become independent, because I already am, by joining Dreamland, you told that I can join Malhotra Industries now if I wish to, because I'm eligible enough to be the C.E.O by now. Par that won't be enough for me..Because, that's so low, right..

And he took an envelope from his packet and gave it in her hand, who wasn't in a state to read anything because she was way too proud of her Love..

Manik: Kholke dekho, Love..

He said while wiping her tears and she managed to read what's inside in it which made her shocked..

Nandini: What..?? Are..are you crazy..?? You mean...

And then she sighed after getting the real reason behind it..She looked at him to see him smiling at her..

Manik: What..?? You should be proud that I'm mature enough to take my life's decisions..

Nandini ( softly ): Mani..you're Pops' son. Manik Raj Malhotra. You deserve to the his successor, the next C.E.O. And you know, Pops will be glad to see you in his position..Phir bhi, you chose to become The Head of Marketing Department..??

Manik ( shrugged his shoulders ): Arey, I didn't choose anything. I was interviewed, by our HR and then he appointed me as Malhotra's New Head of Marketing Department as I was quiet good in it and experienced in that field. Don't you know boss, I was your employee in your Marketing Department and you were pretty impressed with me, I mean my work, baaki ka mujhe patha hai kithne impressed ho tum..And, see here I got promoted, I was just another employee of Marketing Dept, but in Malhotra's Empire, I'm the Head of that Dept, just because I worked under you in Dreamland..Aur rahi bath C.E.O ki, I know Dad will be happy to give his possession to me but then I'm not that eligible enough for it, I need practice..Isiliye, for time being, let me be an employee, phir C.E.O..

She was literally gawking at him but with adoration and she didn't do anything except for kissing him softly taking him in surprise..

Nandini: I love you so much, monster..

Manik ( grinned ): I know that...And guess what, I love you too, a lot more than you could imagine..

She shook her head while giggling and rested her head on his chest..

Manik: Don't you wanna go inside..

Nandini ( nodded in No ): Nahi..

Manik ( surprised + hurt ): But..why..??

She looked in his eyes and caressed his cheeks..

Nandini: Because, I wanted to be that one on that special day when you open this Music World, who can simply gawk at it like how the millions of Paris will be doing..I want to enjoy the feeling of being proud of my man, I want to smile like a fool on that day while ogling at your hard work..

He simply smiled and kissed her forehead making her smile..

Nandini: Mani..wo kya hai..??

He followed her gaze and smiled..

Manik: That's the place for classes with nature. You know about music, it always feel extra special when it's with nature. Isiliye, a simple outdoor class for every one hour..

She gave an impressive smile to him..

Nandini: Not bad, malhotra. Aap tho ithni intelligent nikle. Pehle, tho sirf singing mein interested tha but now, you're being a full own businessman..

Manik ( smirked ): Khoon ke asliyath patha chala, madam. And also, perks of being in love with a businesswoman..

She giggled at him and so he..

Manik: Chalo, ab yaha se niklenge..

She nodded at him and they left in their car..

In the Car

Nandini ( excitingly ): Mani..when are you going to open your Music World..??

Manik ( casually ): After 2 days..

Nandini ( shocked ): What the heck..!! After 2 days aur tum ab batha rahe ho..?? Arey, baaki sab ko bhi bathana hai na..

Manik: Arey relax relax, love. 2 din baaki hai, ussse time mein hum sabko bathayenge. I wanted you to see it before letting the world to know about it..

She smiled..

Nandini: Phir bhi..bohath kuch plan karna hai..

Manik: What's there to plan..??

Nandini: Stupid Malhotra, we need to send invitation for welcoming them to the inauguration. A party to welcome the new member in our family's business world, ye sabkeliye planning chahiye..

Manik: Nandini, its just a beginning, why would we drag someone else apart from family to watch it. Let me get successful..

Nandini: So..who said you won't be successful in it..Jab koi insaan apne dil se apna kaabiliyath dikhana chahthe hai tho koi bhi nahi rok paega usko, I want the whole world to witness your first step to our future. I won't let you to be unknown to them.

He smiled to his fullest after seeing his stubborn girlfriend..

Manik: Teek hai, jo karna hai karo..

She grinned and kissed his cheeks tightly..

Nandini: That's all I need. I'm going to do all we can. Aur haan, Manik, Fab 4 ko kal hi bathadho and then I'll tell M4, uske baad hum sab milkar planning karenge..cool..??

He nodded at her while smiling. Soon, they reached at their favorite place.

The Beach..

Manik held Nandini's hand in her's and walked further towards the sea..

Manik: Its beautiful right.

He asked while looking at the dark sky. She smiled and sat on the sand and seeing it, he took her in a back hug..

Nandini: You know, sometimes, I used to look at this dark sky. I've always despised them because Dad used to say that Mamma is with them so i was so jealous of them. But, when you shared your likeness for them, I grew attached with them. I started to like them, when you were far from me, I used to talk with them. Kabhi kabhi hume apno se dhoor hona chahiye thaki rishtha aur mazbooth hojae..

She looked at him and got confused seeing his smile..

Nandini: Ab smile kyu kar rahe ho..

Manik: You always told me that you don't nag around with your past, phir bhi tujhe mein yaad tha..

She smiled and snuggled in his warmth..

Nandini: Its true I don't nag around but still, you didn't leave my heart, monster. Kabhi bhi mujhe chain se jeena hi nahi diya. Patha hai, I even tried to get hook up with some guys because of you..

Manik ( shouted ): What..??

She giggled after seeing his red face..

Nandini: Arey what..I just thought of dating just to try..I thought I could move on..

Manik ( gritted his teeth ): Move on..?? From me..wo bhi with some jerk..

Nandini: Arey koi jerks nahi tha, my friends are too overprotective for me.

He turned his face away while huffing and she simply snaked her arms around his neck and made him look at her..

Nandini: I never got hooked up with any guy. Kyunki jo koi bhi ladke ko dekhoon mujhe tumhara yaad aathi hai, your feelings, your face, whenever you come to know about Dhruv being my friend. Agar koi ladke ko mera friend hona bhi pasand nahi hai tho dating tho dhoor ki bath hai..I just knew that my heart can never get along with any heart apart from your's..Isiliye kisiko bhi apna paas aane nahi diya..

He smiled hearing her..

Manik: Phir bhi, you shouldn't have tried. I never tried even after your departure..

Nandini ( sighed ): Tum tho saara gussa aur nafrath apne kamre pe nikalthe hai, phir ladki ki kya zaroorath hai, mein tho tumse nafrath bhi kar nahi paayi..

He looked straight in her eyes..

Manik: I never hated you..It was just an illusion..I tried a lot to hate you, but I couldn't..

Nandini ( smiled ): I know, I tried dating instead but wo bhi nahi ho payi..

Manik ( glared ): Who were those guys..??

Nandini ( giggled ): It was back in college, Mani. I used to get proposals when I was in college, Sid asked me to accept at least one, thabi i tried but nahi ho payi..

Manik ( pissed ): I'm seriously going to kick his butt, tomorrow..

Nandini ( laughed ): Poor ghadha..

Manik: He'll be poor tomorrow..

She giggled again and this time he too joined her. They kept talking with each other about one or the other and soon, it was time for the sunrise which they saw with their twinkling eyes..

They entwined their hands and looked at each other..

Nandini: Introducing one more day in our togetherness..!!

He smiled and took her lips for a soul searing kiss while inviting the next sunrise, the next day in their lives which will be filled with their beautiful memories..

To be continued..