BIRTHDAY
Today there was less work so the Murthy's were back home early. Nandini went to the parlour to rejuvinate and refresh herself. Murthy men had ordered INFINITY WATCHES , another one of their business ventures to design aspecial watch for Manik as a birthday gift, The design was suggested by Nandini and the staff delivered the watch on time.

In the evening, The Murthys got ready and reached the venue a little late due to the traffic. They entered the resort and were guided by the staff into the hall were the birthday party was organised. It was a huge hall . The entire floor was filled with red balloons as it was Manik's fav colour. A little dry ice was also used to give a smoky feel to the setting. At the center of the hall , DJ floor was set up with different lightings, red and white tapestry adorned the sides of the hall, at the back DJ had its setup and a soft number was playing.

As soon as the Murthys entered through the stairs they were mesmerised with the setup as they got the whole view of the arrangement from the top of the stairs, then they descended down the stairs and the staff guided them to Mr and Mrs Malhotra , who were busy chatting with some guests. They turned around to welcome the Murthys warmly. Maan let neyonika know that their company , INFINITY had got the project the other day and neyonika instantly understood that the beautiful girl standing quietly with them was Nandini.

.nandini's dress( she had wore a black gown which was clinging on to her body shape with a slit on the left side exposing her slender long legs, it had boat neck in front and back was deep exposing her back. she had left her long hair open with slight curls on the end, complemented with smoky eyes and pink lips)

Neyonika was impressed by her dress sense, her dress was simple yet stylish. Neyonika was also impressed by how nandini carried herself, confidently and her confidence showed on her face.
Nandini greeted them with a handshake and a charming smile. Neyonika was now determined now to make Nandini her manik's wife!!

They were chatting when nandini's eyes fell on a girl who was standing near the bar counter and talking on phone . she recognised her instantly.

It was NAVYA.

Malhotra's were informing Murthys that manik and his friends had gone to fetch their instruments as the guests had urged manik to perform a song. Nandini turned towards the group and said

Nan: i m sorry to interrupt you but i have found a friend over there( pointing towards navya) . can i join her please?

Neyo: of course beta. make yourself comfortable!

neyonika was happy after knowing that navya was nandini's friend . she could dig info about nandini from navya as navya was cabir's gf.

nandini took abhi along with her. she patted on navya's shoulder and as soon as navya turned they had a bone crushing hug. after which nandini complained that she came back to indea after one long year and did not inform her. navya said that she returned today itself but due to the party she could not inform her. then navya asked her how she is here? and nandini informed that they were malhotra's business associates so were invited. abhi and navya also greeted each other and were chatting when they heard the sound of guitar and turned to find FAB 5 on stage.

aaan aaan aan aaan aaa ooo ooo ( manik was seated on a stool on the stage with his guitar and his eyes closed..humming the tune..nandini moved towards him as if a magnet was pulling her..she walked towards the platform and halted just in front of manik a few feet away..navya and abhi followed her and sttod behind her...abhi's eyes fell on mukti and he was lost in her)
haan hasi ban gaye haan nami ban gye(manik opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was NANDINI, their eyes met and fireworks started. he couldnt move his eyes off her ,her state was no better)
tum mere asmaan meri jameen ban gye

haan hasi ban gaye haan nami ban gaye
tum mere asmaan meri jameen ban gaye
ooo haaan aaa ooo haaan
derena..
ha hm badalne lage
girne sambhalne lage
jab se hai jaana tumhe teri ore chalne lage--2
har safar har jagah har kahi ban gye
maante the khuda ha wahi ban gaye
ha hasi ban gye
ha nami ban gye
tum mere asmaan meri jameen ban gye

pehchaante hi ni ab log tanha mujhe
meri nigahon me v hain dhundhte wo tujhe--2
hum the dhundhte jise wo kami ban gye
tum mere ishq ki sar jameen ban gaye
haan hasi ban gaye haan nami ban gaye
tum mere asmaan meri jameen ban gaye
ooo aaan aan de re na aaan!!

he sang the whole song looking into her eyes. The tune continued but the claps started and this brought both the lost souls into the present and they exchanged a smile to hide the embarassment.

Cabir came down the stage and hugged navya. others followed. navya praised them and they all thanked her. then navya introduced Nandini and abhi to fab 5. everyone said hi and hellos.

manik wanted to know more about nandini , so he started the conversation by saying that 'i never saw u before in any of the parties??'.
nandini replied '' yeah u must not have seen me as i m coming for the first to malhotra's party as we became business associates just two days ago"
manik wanted to say more but was cut off by cabir"come on yaar manik, its a birthday party , not a business meeting, why are you trying to bore her!! she will never come to your party again if you continue interrogating her like that"

Others broke into giggles and manik glared cabir.

Nandini said " its nothing like that cabir , i didn't mind, dont worry, its good if we know each other , as we are going to work with them'' she looked at manik and they smiled.

Manik instantly developed fondness for her as she took his side in the conversation.

Youngsters were soon joined by the elders. Maan and neyonika introduced manik and fab 5 to sheetal and alok. they all exchanged hello and hi. The anchor announced the cake had been brought and the malhotras to come towards the table. everyone gathered and the 7 storey cake was cut and happy birthday song played in the background.

manik offered first bite to his mom dad and then to his friends. but to everyone's surprise he moved with a piece of cake towards nandini and stopped in front of her and said that ' since your navya's friend , u r indirectly my friend too, so take a bite' nandini was moved by his gesture and she happily took a bite and then out of courtesy manik offered the cake to abhi too, just then a waiter arrived with pieces of cake placed in plates and manik asked him to serve first to nandini's parents. Murthys were overwhelmed with this much of importance given to them. Cake eating ceremony ended with the anchor asking the couples to come on the platform for dance .

everyone went to the stage only manik mukti nandini and abhi were left. abhi saw a guy approaching mukti but abhi moved fast and asked mukti for the dance. she agreed and they moved . Manik looked at nandini and asked her" can i get a privilege to dance with you?'' and forwarded his palm towards her. she kept her palm on to his and they moved towards the platform . DJ was asked to play only the fav songs o manik and so the song started...
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Credits to the writer-Manini Mehra