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Artsy Book Cafe

The heavy downpour n thunder storm outside contrasting with 
a cozy,comfortable and vibrant atmosphere inside ABC aka Artsy Book Cafè in kolkata was the perfect hangout for teens, college goers and adults. It was full of graffiti on the walls of the Bollywood stars and Bengali poets like Rabindra nath tagore. The classical Rabindra sangeet was playing in the background giving a soothing effect to all the customers who were entering the Cafe.

There entered a Guy in his late
20's half wet because of the rain even after having an umbrella. He scanned the cafe and then chose a silent corner near the big victorian style glass window. He sat there and kept looking at outside the window. He seemed a bit off mood. A waiter came to take his order but he refused politely and asked him to leave.

"Aaj bhi main kuch nahi kar paaya. I failed again. Pata nahi Kya hoga meri life ke saath. Maa-baba ko toh bol diya that I will make my career in singing  and prove myself. Par yeh chance bhi chala gaya."

 The soothing music was maybe giving him some relief and he stayed for a long time. It was late at night and time to close the cafe when again the same boy who took his order told the owner of the cafe to look at the guy who was sitting by the window as he seemed to have gone to sleep.

The owner came towards the guy and shook him a bit. The guy got up and looked at a beautiful girl who was standing beside him bending a little towards him. Her hair was falling on her face acting like a curtain to hide her angelic face a bit. She tucked her hair strands and stood straight.

"Woh, cafe band karne ka time ho gaya hai. So Kya aap uth sakte hai? It's already 10 pm." Her voice was as soft n smooth as velvet for his ears. She was so beautiful even in her simple white kurti n blue jeggings with a blue stole.

" ohh!! I'm sorry. Pata nahi kaise aankh lag gayi thi. Mujhe pata hi nahi laga main so gaya. You can close the cafe main jaata hoon." He got up picking up his bag and smiled at her.

The girl closed the cafe and left towards her house.

Next day again the guy came to her Cafe, but today it seemed he came willing n was enjoying the music n the frappy which he ordered. This happened for a week. He would sit there listening to songs n read some novels n play soft tunes with his guitar.

The owner of the cafe once came to him when he was playing his guitar.

"You play really well." She said softly which made the person turn.

"Thank u, I even sing well too." He said smiling.

" Hi,I'm Nandini Murthy, the owner of ABC. Waise Maine aapko roz yahan aate dekha hai. Seems you are enjoying this place."

"Manik, Manik Malhotra. I really like ur cafe. It's very relaxing."

"Thank you. Waise would you teach me playing guitar? I really love listening, but can't play them."

"Hmmm... In return can I get your friendship? Actually I don't teach strangers." He said smiling and forwarding his hand. Nandini smiled and shook hands with him. "Sure friend."

(Dil ko kya ho raha hai
Jaane kyon kho raha hai
Jaane kya vaasta hai
Tera mera, tera mera)

Thier this friendship got stronger n beautiful day by day. They would enjoy together. Make fun of each other, share their thoughts n Manik would teach her guitar. It was like they became best friends in just a month.

*****
One day they were setting in the cafe after everyone had gone. Manik seemed to be a bit upset about Some thing so Nandini asked him to have a cup of coffee with her n share his thoughts with her if he wanted.
They were sitting for about half n hr all silent.

" you know Nandini mujhe bachpann se music ka bohot shauk tha. I learnt playing guitar n singing from class 6. Music gave me peace. Jab bhi main play karta tha na uss wakt everyone would appreciate me.. As I grew up my hobby for singing became my passion. I  told dad that I would like to make my career in singing. I did complete my studies. Par mujhe woh job nahi karni thi. Mujhe apni music studio kholni thi. And guess what no one stood up for me. Sab ko lagta hai that its craziness. But passion... passion craziness toh nahi hoti na? I fought with them n went to audition for Indian Idol. But I guess luck is also not on my side. I was rejected..., rejected even before I could perform as I was late because of my father. Mere aur unke jhagde mein lost the golden chance." He said it all. Usse nahi pata tha usne apne dil ki bhadas kaise nikali Nandini ke samne. But he did. He thought maybe she would understand him.

Nandini just held his hand.
"Manik... life mein Kai baar aisa hoga when you feel there is no way. But if one door closes then the other opens up. Dekhna kuch acha aur isse bada hoga. And never give up on ur dreams. You said music is ur passion then make ur passion ur strength. Agar aise hi sulk karte rahoge then kabhi bhi HULK nahi bann paoge." She explained him calmly n then at last joked a little to make him smile. And it did worked. He laughed at her punch line.

" how do you do this? I mean, I'm never sad when I'm with you. Kaise?" He said  looking straight in her eyes.

" ohhh... talent hai janab!! Sab ke paas NAHI hota." She winked at him and the laughed at her dramatic one liner. Her laugh did something to Manik. He got lost in her laughter.

(Dil ko kya ho raha hai
Jaane kyon kho raha hai
Jaane kya vaasta hai
Tera mera, tera mera)

"Acha chalo I will take you to an amazing place. Tumhara yeh face main yunnn theek kar dungi." She got up suddenly n dragged him with her. They reached a place which looked like a street food junction.

(Paagal hai shirfira hai
Jaane kya sochta hai)

" hello dada!!! 2 place mast pani puri banana. Aur haan zaada teekha nahi." Nandini said to the person who looked a bit old  and was selling pani puri.

" Nandini I don't want to eat this. Wapas chale. Agar tumko khaana hai toh khalo but not me." He made faces looking around.

" are you serious Manik?? !!! TUM Kolkata mein hoke lake gardens ka puchka khaane se mana kar rahe ho? Dude he makes the best pani puri in the world. Ok now say 'aaaaaa'" she made him eat pani puri n he made a shocker face at first but then liked the taste of it a lot.

"It's tasty!!! Sach mein yaar. Dada, ek aur dena" she looked at him with*I told you look* and patting herself. They had a gala time eating street food n fighting for tasting each other's ice gola.

(Paagal hai shirfira hai
Jaane kya sochta hai
Jaane kya vaasta hai
Tera mera, tera mera)

Their friendship was increasing day by day. Manik was coming close to her, her bindaas life style n care free nature was attracting him towards her. Nandini would also come over to his flat in which Manik lived with his friend Cabir as he left his house. She loves hearing him sing. It was like some magic. And they would also perform in her Cafe every weekend for the customers.

******
One such weekend Nandini was working in her cafe when a person came to her

Guy-" Hey ma'am, you are the owner of the Cafe ,right???"

Nan-" yes I'm sir, how May I help you.?"

Guy-" actually I wanted to meet the guy who was performing the last day in the cafe. Can I get his no.?"

Nan-" yaa sure he would be coming in some time. Then you can meet him sir. Till then plz make urself comfortable."

Manik entered after sometime n saw Nandini pacing from one corner to another.

Man-" oye nandu, Kya hua? Aise Kya pendulum ki tarah yahan se wahan Chakkar laga rahi hai? Pair dukh jaayega."

Nan-" someone wants to meet you. He is waiting for u in the waiting area. Just go. Go Manik..  And yes he saw ur performance yesterday." She pushed him without letting him speak.

After sometime Manik n the person came out. He met Manik n left the cafe. Manik was searching for Nandini in the cafe when he saw her talking to an elderly couple. He just ran n hugged her.

Nandu!!!!!!!!!!!I'm so happy so happy so happy!!!!!!!! Wohooooo..." He was shouting and this could be seen n heard in the entire cafe.

(Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai)

"Manik put me down!!!!! Kya kar rahe ho? Idiot sab dekh rahe hai." She smiled at the couple who were smiling seeing Manik n his excitement.

" You know what? Main... Main select ho gaya. I... I got the biggest break of my career. The person whom we met he is Vishal-shekhar's band member. He sent my video to them n they liked me. They want to meet me n sign for some album." He told her everything that happened in the room n hearing this Nandini started jumping n hugged him." I'm so happy for u Manik!! !!! See kaha tha na maine kuch bada hoga tumhare liye. And see. An toh boss party banti hai. "

(Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai)

" haan par ur customer? " He showed  her they couple who were looking at them. Nandini hit her head n then his biceps for distracting her from work. The old couple blessed them.
**********
It's been 2 yrs now,

Nandini POV

"2 saal baad he is coming back to Kolkata. Manik Malhotra the rock star. Pata nahi ab usse main yaad bhi houngi yaa nahi. Mumbai jaane ke 2-3 monthe baad hamara contact hi chut gaya.But I dont blame him. Busy hoga woh, but tab i realised that mujhe apne dil ki baat bata deni chahiye thi. Usswakt airport par jaane se pehle agar bata di hoti toh shayad yeh darr aur khaalipann nahi hota."

It was late at night when a person  entered the cafe silently covering his face. " Ek frappy plz nandu."

"Manik!!!!! Tum?? Yahan kaise? Tum toh kal aane wale the na?"

"Haan so kal hi aaya main. I mean it's past 12 toh day change ho gaya na. And yahan.. Main tujhse Milne aaya."

I just hugged him tight. I was so happy to see him after so long. He was still the same. But a bit more handsome. We chatted like old days over a coffee n shared our life.

Manik's POV

"Finally I'm here. I'm back to my city,back to my love,my NANDINI.Yes my Nandini. I really love her. Usse dur jaane ke baad i realised that the feelings we had was not just attraction but it was love. Main usse nahi mil paya but mere saare love songs sirf uske liye the. And I will tell her everything. Cos uski aankhon main bhi woh pyaar dikhta hai."

(Kehna tha jo maine tune keh diya
Bolo na bhala ye kaisi baat hai
Tere dil se kaise nikal rahe
Mere dil ke saare jazbaat hai)

"Oye, kal mere concert mein aayegi? Tere liye special passes laaya hoon. You have to be there." He first asked her but then took out the pass n handed her ordering her to come. This was Manik. He couldn't ask he just ordered.

"Tumne shayad option nahi diya. Challo koi nahi. But I will come. Pakka." Nandini smiled n promised him she would come.

Concert day.

Manik was on stage. He looked at Nandini who was sitting in the VIP area wearing his fav. Colour red dress.
He started singing looking at her.

(Hmmm, kehna tha jo maine tune keh diya
Bolo na bhala ye kaisi baat hai
Tere dil se kaise nikal rahe
Mere dil ke saare jazbaat hai

Na tha thikana chup tha fasaana
Qismaton ne di jubaniyan haan
Ab jo mile hai toh milkar likhenge
Khaawbon ki haseen kahaniyan)

After the song ended he saw her leaving the premise. He ran after her.

They were outside the main event  area. He held her hand and got on his knees

"Yeh song Maine tumhare liye likha tha. Yeh hame describe karti hai, hamare journey ko describe karti hai. You are special to me Nandini. You have been my shining star who made me what I'm today. You are my lucky charm jiske wajah se Manik Malhotra aaj yaha hai. Will you remain my guiding star for life? Will you let me share ur life with you? Will you let me teach you guitar again and make frappy for me with all the love? Hamesha?? I LOVE YOU NANDINI MURTHY. ISS DIL KO TUJHPE PYAAR AA GAYA HAI. YEH SIRF TERE PAAS REHNA CHATA HAI."

(Hmmm, kehna tha jo maine tune keh diya
Bolo na bhala ye kaisi baat hai
Tere dil se kaise nikal rahe
Mere dil ke saare jazbaat hai)

N-" tumne toh woh sab keh diya no main kehna chahti thi. Mere jazbaat tumhare hothon se nikal hi gaye Manik. Phir Kya chupana. I LOVE YOU TOO MANIK. VERY VERY MUCH. " She was crying with a smile n hugged him.

(Ab jo mile hai toh milkar likhenge
Khaawbon ki haseen kahaniyan

Jinpe aitbaar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai.)

Manik hugged her tight n twirled her around. They were laughing n crying at the same time. They got their love. It again started raining but this time Manik was not gloomy, he was smiling holding his happiness in his arms. They sealed their hearts forever with their heads joined and rain of love pouring above them.

(Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai.)

Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai
Dil ko tujhpe pyar aa raha hai.)

*****************

Ok, so this was an OS written by me for the Os competition conducted by __ThelazyAatma

I just am a fan of this song 'dil ko tujhpe pyaar aaraha hai' from the webshow " never kiss your best friend " so I thought why not write an OS  with MaNan in it.

The results are out and I would like to congratulate my cutiepie charmy Charmedone22  who's story came 2nd 👏👏👏 congrats babes. 😘😘😘
We want party.

I am really happy that I participated in this ans got to write an OS for the very first time. Hope you guys liked it a bit. I'm learning so will take time.

Yours lovely writer
Neha. 😘