Hanging between life and death he met his inner demons and his inner angel, all his life he was in denial, he had really given up the day he lost her but the day he saw her again stepping in his dark world he realized that almighty is definitely bridging the gap between the two. He brought up in the environment where his granny use to narrate a bedtime story of beauty and beast, he used to wonder Is there any fairy waiting for him out there?, he used to question himself whether any day he'll be able to see his real self and his answers came to him in form of her but the worst part of his story was he didn't saw his fairy disguised in a living angel resulted in crushing the most purest soul and he earned the life long imprisonment in darkness for himself but almighty had plans for him because he witnessed his redemption.

******

Manik is waiting for Nandini impatiently standing in the hall amidst of hundreds of people but still he feels hollow, empty from inside and the reason is quite obvious to him. Kajal and Dhruv find Manik standing with some of the reputed and renowned music directors but he seems totally out of scene.

Dhruv : "He seems lost, what happened?"..he asked to Kajal with concern in his voice and worry in his heart.

Kajal : "Nandini happened!"..she commented to lighten the mood and they both chuckled at her statement.

Kajal : "This party is looking all dull and boring to me, I am going to have some fun.."..she said last line in her dramatic tone and dhruv raised his glass of wine to her with a expression of go ahead girl! .. She gave him her devilish grin and walked straight to manik.

Kajal : "Excuse me gentlemen, Can I borrow the star of the evening for a while?"..she said in her ever so sugary tone as soon as she reached to the people who were standing next to Manik and they all complied her wish. But Manik looked all puzzled and surprise by her behavior.

Manik : "What? why did you pulled me from there?"..he asked after she took him in a side, a bit far from the crowd.

Kajal : "RJ called and said he is taking Nandini with him so they'll be bit late.."..she told him with all the seriousness in her soul but from inside her sweet demon is jumping all around celebrating the victory as her mere statement left an extreme effect on Manik.

Manik : "Ahem! Uh! I need some air. Excuse me.."..he said in his small tone with a grumpy face like someone snatched a candy from a little boy's hand. And she just nodded with a I-understand look..

As soon as Manik left out of the scene, she started laughing her heart out without caring much about the folks giving her nasty looks assuming her to be some insane woman. Dhruv watched her from bit far and he just chuckled at her reaction as he is well aware what she must have done.

Outside the venue:

Manik is standing in the garden gazing at the sky, keenly observing the twinkling of the stars but still lost in his own world of darkness.

"I've been looking for you.."..he heard a soft voice that can easily break the seal of his heart and heal the open wounds which is still fresh even after years ...

He turned around in the hope to see his only salvation. There is hope in his every move, every nerve of his body is craving to feel the warmth of her, every breathe he inhales wishes to mould with hers and Everytime he blinks his eyes he just wants to capture her fair image in them so that not even for a mili second he feels to be away from her..

Manik : "Nandini!"..he chant her name like a true devotee and it won't be wrong to say that he has been worshipping her all these years like no one has ever does.

Nandini : "What you doing outside?"..she asked with confusion but as the moonlight falls on her face, he forgot where he is and what he was thinking while back, all he thinks is she is the goddess Aphrodite herself descended from heaven just to end all his misery and gives him his much needed salvation.

Manik : "I heard you were coming late.."..he answered without moving his eyes from her not even for a second and she gave him her most beautiful dazzling smile which straight went to his heart and touched his soul.

Nandini : "Wrong information Mr. I-am-lost Malhotra.."..she scoffed and he giggled after looking down, his shyness took her heart away, she looked at him with much love in her eyes and all she wonders right now is that how he is going to react when she'll proclaim her feelings to him..

She knows her heart beats for him, she is aware from the fact that she's standing on the edge but the mere difference is she has no fear in falling off as love has given her the much needed strength and confidence which might wasn't there before not even when she survived the most dreaded years of her life.

Nandini : "You know what, your smile is just like a new born baby which soothe any wounded heart, your smile has honesty in it.."..she told while looking at that shy smile on his face which is very rare to find but her words caste the most powerful spell on him which can't be break ever. He raised his face to look at her while she is already looking at him with her magnificent eyes..

Manik walked a bit closer to her and the moon is illuminating light all over them, every step he takes in her direction makes her nervous. He stood in front of her and looked straight in her eyes and under her penetrating gaze she feels more anxious, he cupped her face and she is lost in him as if he is creating a ring around her which she can't resist or break it.

Manik : "And your eyes.."..he stopped abruptly as he found her all confused and very impatient to know what he's going to say further.

Manik : "Your eyes have the potential to make anyone die for.."..his husky tone and his words left her speechless, all she was able to do is blush profusely at his lines.

Nandini : "When did you came out of your textrovert form??"..she joked and he too grinned with her dazzling eyes.

Manik : "I guess this is our launch party and we two are suppose to be inside launching the album instead of passing cheesy lines to each other.."..he reminded her after taking his hands off her reluctantly and his statement makes her laugh.

Nandini : "I never knew you can be so much fun in person as whenever we meet you keep one arm distance as if am a vampire or something who will drink out all the blood off your body.."...she mocked once again by her humor and tried to move out but as she turned around to walk inside, he caught her hand and she turned to face him.

Manik : "Even if you do that I won't mind at all.."..he answered and she looked confused by his statement, she isn't able to comprehend what is aiming at.

Manik : "About drinking blood from my veins.."..he cleared the air for her and grinned she just rolled her eyes on him while smiling inwardly.

Nandini : "In that case I think you should accompany your Vampire to the party and later on I can figure out when I can feed.."..she winked with a teasing smirk and he too look amused by her remark.

Manik : "Well I'll be highly grateful to accompany such gorgeous Vampire to the party.."..he too played along and then he gave her his hand, she happily accepted it and they both walked inside with holding each other's hands..

****

I know that's a small update that too after a long time but am bounded with my responsibilities, I know you'll understand my part as always. Am very very less available now a days due to my end semsters and also there is lot going around me which needs my attention so I want you people to know that don't even expect updates any soon or long updates.

Keep loving and keep supporting.