I Need U To Be There.... For a little more than Always!!!

Part 76:

The day that had an amzing start proved to be more interesting as they sat for breakfast.

All of them sat their pulling manan's leg, teasing them as they always did. Nandini shifted off the topic to Mukbhi and for a change it was Mukti who turned fully red.

Cabir: Woah... Mukti is blushing!! Wow.... Now I hv seen everything, literally everything.!

Aliya: What's up Abhi?? Seems like ur juliet is finally melting down....

Aliya said as she eyed Mukti. Abhi smiled broadly at them and then replied,

Abhi: Maybe.... Slowly but surely!!

Nandini smiled broadly looking at his happy face when she felt a hand on her knee. Turning towards her left, her smile broadened at the look on Manik's face.

A tint of red spread over her face as she looked down at her plate and continued eating. They were almost done with their breakfast when Cabir's phone rang.

He pulled it out from his pocket when Mukti said,

Mukti: Ohk now the ball is in Cabir's court guys..... It's Navya's call...

Listening to this, Aliya snatched the phone away from Cabir,

Cabir: Aliya...... Aliya give it here....

Aliya: Shh... Just sit back and relax Cabir!

Aliya winked at him and picked up the call turning it on speaker and placing it in the center of the table.

Navya: Hi Cabir....

Aliya: Heyo Navya!!

Aliya said as Mukti kept a hand over Cabir's mouth.

Navya: Ohh Aliya... Hi!! How r u?

Aliya: Great... U say?

Navya: I m gud... Was just going to sleep so I thought to talk to cabir before that, is he there....

Mukti: Kyu Navya.... U just want to talk to Cabir, u won't even talk to us??

Navya: Arey no Mukti... Its nothing like that!! In fact I m really missing u guys, the day seems boring without u all here....

All of them smiled at her genuine voice.

Dhruv: By the way Navya, we hv a gud news here....

Dhruv said looking at Manan.

Navya gasped at him as she said innocently,

Navya: Really..... So soon Dhruv, I mean u guys Just Got Married!!

All of them laughed out loud around the table while Aliya spitted out the water that she was drinking. Cabir almost got tears in his tears as he hugged Mukti who was sitting next to him.

Aliya: What.. NO!!

The laugher at the table continued harder when Navya shouted off at the phone.

Navya: GUYS....

Cabir: Navya.... I love u!! I love u much much more than I ever loved u before.....

Cabir laughed off....

Aliya: Shut up Cabir.... And navya!! I m not freaking pregnant....

Aliya said getting irritated yet she turned red in embarrassment.

Navya: Ohh... I thought good news--

Dhruv: Well I meant it about Manik and Nandini-

Navya: OMG... Are they back together?? I m so so happy.....

Navya exclaimed happily as she cutted of Dhruv's words. All of them smiled at her while Manan looked at each other. No one said anything to reply to Navya, when Nandini said out aloud,

Nandini: Yes... We r back!! And this is time its stronger....

Manik: And forever!!

Board smiles took up all their faces when Navya said,

Navya: Aww... U guys r just so cute!! I wish I was there right now, witnessing that adorable way in which u look at each other.

Navya's words made Nandini blush when Cabir whispered.

Cabir: Yeah... I wish u were here....

"Awwwwww!!" said everyone around the table as Aliya and Mukti pulled Cabir's cheeks.

Navya: Guys Guys... I hv something important to tell u all!

Navya said seriously, saving Cabir from everyone as they heard her with attention.

Navya: Ohk... So there was a reason why I had called right now, as I wanted to tell this to Cabir, but now its better that u all r together....

Cabir: What happened Navya??

Navya: Look u guys already know that the news has been out around that Fab5 were out for a secret vacation. And the media was already bashing u all about canceling out the press conference after the International Launch.... So the words out that u guys hv gotten over confident after the launch n rest u know the social media how it is....

Fab5 nodded at her words while Nandini looked shocked hving no idea about any of the happenings.

Navya: But then this morning... It all stopped!!

Mukti: What? How?

Mukti asked shocked now along with the rest.

Navya: Because of Manik...

Manik: What do u mean??

Navya: Well early morning today, that means last night according to u guys.... Some indian in L.A. posted up a picture of Manik....

Dhruv: Picture!

Navya: Yes... It was of some club and it was looking as if Manik was holding up some girl closer as he saved her out of the crowd. Though the girl's face wasn't clear, but they compared it from the old pictures and came to conclusion that she was the same shining star as he calls her..... So now, ur fans hv been showering u with wishes and understanding that u hv gone off to spend some time with her.

Nandini: That means when u were pulling me out of the club in anger... They mis-interpreted it to be ur care!!

Nandini said suddenly making Manik remember how they walked off.

Manik: Yes... I guess u r right!

Mukti: But how come we don't know this..

Mukti asked out of confusion.

Navya: It happened over the few hours itself... I guess u all must be sleeping! Check ur phones.... But!!

Navya stopped in between.

Nandini: What happened Navya?

Navya: Look guys... We all know how this industry is... And u all hv been underground from like about 15 days now, and that too just after that launch!! I think it's time for u to come out.

Cabir: What do u mean?

Navya: I mean do something guys.... Anything!! A small press appearance over there, or some posts up ur social networking sites... Something for them to talk about... Just something!

Manik: I guess Navya is right... It's high time we come out!

All of them nodded at him while Navya said,

Navya: Ohk now that everything is sorted... Its 1 am here... And I m very tired! Bye guys... Enjoy and yes... Welcome back nandini!

All of them smiled at her and wished her back before disconnecting the call.

Nandini: I m sorry guys.... I mean so much had been happening, and I had no idea about it... And above all me being the only reason for u guys coming here!

Cabir: Hey... No need to be sorry! No one forced us here, we r here bcoz we wanted to... And Nandini, u do mean a lot to each and everyone sitting out here, so never ever think u r alone!

Nandini smiled at his words with a slight tear in her eyes as she nodded. Just then she felt a hand over her hair, making her look up to see Amms standing there.

Nandini smiled her broadest as she got up and hugged her tight. Amms hugged her back and smiled over to Manik.

Amms: I can't tell u how glad I m to finally see u happy Nandu... I m so so happy...

Nandini got confused at her words and broke the hug,

Nandini: Amms??

Amms smiled at her and caressed her cheek.

Amms: I know kanna.... I know everything!! Manik had already told me everything and he had promised me to make u happy again. I wad so happy when he came to this morning to tell me that u forgave him....

Nandini looked at Manik in shocked when a tear rolled down her eye again and she hugged amms smiling broadly.

Nandini: Thank u Amms... Thank u so much!

Soon they all were sitting in the living room when the servant walked towards them and Amms asked him to place the tray over the center table.

Nandini: Amms.... Paysum???

Nandini smiled looking at the tray.

Amms chuckled at her and picked up a bowl as he sat next to Nandini.

Amms: U remember Nandu.... Earlier, ur appa used to especially request me to make this paysum, and then he himself feeded it to u, as it was ur favorite...

Nandini smiled broadly at her and nodded.

Nandini: Yes Amms... And he always used to request u for this randomly... Without any occasion or reason!!

Amms: No kanna... There was a very big occasion everytime he asked me to make this...

Amms said shaking her head making both Nandini and Abhi confused while the rest just stayed quite.

Amms: Those used to be the happiest days of his life.... All of those!! And so he got this made which was favorite of both u and ur appa!!

Abhi: Happiest moments... How?

Abhi asked as he picked up his bowl from the tray after giving one each to the others.

Amms: He loved this smile of urs..... This real smile, which made ur eyes twinkle!! This smile made him more happy than anything else in this entire world. And he always treated it as an occasion to be celebrated properly.

Tears came up in Nandini's eyes as Amms fed her a spoon, but her face held a huge smile.

Amms: No matter what it was, whenever u held this smile, it made him satisfied with himself, as if it was an award to him of keeping his princess in the way she deserved to be....

Amms said caressing her cheek.

Amms: If u ask me, it was a stupid tradition that he followed coz u were a sort of girl who got happy very easily.

May it be a new teddy bear when u were a little girl, or be it some award that u won, or be it some special gift from ur brothers, or even a compliment from ur appa....

All of them chuckled at her while Nandini rubbed off her tears,

Amms: I used to be very irritated to make it everytime, coz he never let ur amma do it, he always wanted it from me only!!

Nandini laughed at her comment and made her eat a spoon.

Amms: U know, I promised myself after his death... That even if ur Appa wasn't there.... I will continue this tradition, as it was of the happiest moments of my son's life and I wanted him to be happy up there also.... But then it stopped!! I never saw that smile on ur face ever..... It was as if, he took it away with him....

Amms cried when Abhi walked closer and took her into a hug while Nandini sat there still...

Amms: U never did Nandu.... Uske jaane ke baad, na to tu apne appa ke liye kabhi royi, aur na hi kabhi hasi meri bachi!! Na hi kabhi hasi....

Manik looked up at Nandini to see her guarding her emotions staring at the paysum in her hands.

Amms: This is the first time I hv made this paysum after that, and this day I m sure ur appa must be very happy, to see the same smile on ur face and the same twinkle in ur eyes...

Amms said wiping off her tears as she fed another spoon to Nandini.

Nandini ate it wordlessly but her mind seemed to be aloof now as she caressed off Amms' tears and walked up straight to her room.

Nandini: I will be back!

All of them looked at her back when Manik saw Amms sad. So he said,

Manik: Come on guys... As amms said, It's a happy occasion... We should celebrate it!!

He picked up Nandini's bowl from the table and walked up behind her smiling cheerfully at the others.

Abhi smiled lovingly at Amms as he fed her the paysum, dropping off some on her Sari, receiving a smack from her making everyone laugh.

On the other hand, Manik entered Nandini's room to find her standing in front of a picture of her along with her parents, with no expression on her face.

He kept the bowl on the table and stood next to her wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Nandini sighed at his presence and leaned onto his shoulder, her eyes still fixed on the picture.

Nandini: U know I never got a chance to get their last glimpse. Rishab didn't seemed to be ready to wait at all and thus he gave them a final tribute without me even being there...... But I hv no complaints for this!! U know why? Bcoz whenever I remember them, I remember their with broad smiles on their faces of the last time i left the house... And not of the sight of seeing them on their death beds, coz that is something I don't think I could even bare!!

Manik looked down at her to see her eyes blank when he held her face and made her look away from their picture and look at him. He made her sit on the bed and whisper to her cupping her face and looking straight into her eyes..

Manik: U need to think it through Nandini.... Think about it and let it all out! U need to cry, u need to let it go!!

Nandini stared at him for a few seconds before breaking down her walls as she collapsed into his arms crying out loud.

Nandini: I love them a lot Manik... I love them a lot....

Manik: I know.... I know u do!! And they loved u even more than that!

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Later that day the mood of the house seemed fairly well including Nandini. Fab4 planned to give Manan some alone time and thus talked to Abhi for an outing. Abhi agreed to them and soon they all went out.

Manik insisted in Manan joining them as well, but no one listened and left off leaving them alone. As soon as they moved out Nandini looked at Manik.

Nandini: Why r these ppl behaving so weird??

Manik: I don't know... I mean they didn't even tell us and now they didn't want to wait till we get changed up!!

Manik said shrugging as they looked at the door.

Manik: But what r we going to do now?

Manik asked as Nandini got up from the sofa. I don't know.... Maybe we can watch a movie or something!!

Manik: Great... So u select a movie, I'll just get my phone from the room and join u.

Manik smiled at her as he walked off upstairs while Nandini went on towards the Tv room.

A few minutes later, Manik opened up the door to the Music room with a smiling Nayan in his arms. And adore following them.

Nayan: Nandu Bua!!

Nandini looked up listening to her voice and smiled broadly as Manik placed Nayan down who ran into Nandini's arms.

Manik: She had come to see u!!

Nandini: Aww my baby... Why didn't u go to school today!

Nayan: Bua its sunday!! No school...

Nayan laughed at her as Manik took a seat along with them.

Nandini: Ohk then... Come here!! We r going to watch a movie today...

Nayan: Yey!!

Nayan chipped on got up from her lap as she took a seat comfortably.

Nandini sat down selecting a movie when Nayan shouted,

Nayan: I want to watch Frozen!

Manik: What.. No....

Manik said back immediately making Nayan turn towards him.

Nayan: Plz... Plz Mani uncle... Plz!! After that i will watch ur favorite movie with u...

Nayan said sweetly making Nandini smile as Manik sighed. Nandini put up Frozen over the set and took a seat between the two of them while Adore sat up on the floor cuddling on her leg.

A few minutes into the movie and Nayan was lost into it forget everything while Manik and Nandini just seemed to be satisfied being next to each other. Manik entwined his fingers with Nandini and sat quite through the movie. As the movie got over Nandini turned towards him to find him sleeping on his place.

Nandini's pov:

He really fell asleep? I chuckled at him.

"Nayan!" I said slowly taking up her attention. When Nayan turned towards me and saw me pointing at the sleeping beauty next to me. She looks at him and then at me as I moved away from Manik and whisper to her.

"I hv an idea!!"

"What will we do??" she asked me innocently having no idea about the stuff going on in my mind.

I ask her to be there for a while and run up to my room. Soon after I resurge with a bunch of make up and sit next to him. Well we r going to give Manik a makeover.

"So we will make Mani uncle look ugly?" Nayan asked me slowly still confused as she saw me opening up my make up bag.

"Yup... Pretty much!" I shrugged at her.

I looked back at Manik to find him still sleeping up innocently. I kneel in front of him, leveling myself to his face, while Nayan simply stands next to me waiting for my signal to start. The outline of his lips are clearer, and his longer than average eyelashes were splayed out over his cheeks making him look like a sculpture...

I can't believe I m going this... Its like Inviting to murder!! Destroying the peace...

Too late to step back! I fish out a small bottle of a skin coloured liquid... Which definitely was not matching his skin tone.

"Whats that bua?"

Nandini: We put this on the face... Its base!

Nayan: Ohk!!

She replied back immediately.

His cheeks are warm. His cheeks unnaturally soft. We splatter the cold, soft liquid all over his face and he doesn't walk up or even flutter his eyes. I resist back the urge to start laughing, bcoz he looks like he smashed a cake on his face.

"Nayan..." I whisper as my eyes widened looking at what she was doing. " We r supposed to put the lipstick on his lips not everywhere else."

She gets back and looks up at the squiggles of red lipstick that she has made up not just on his lips but all over his chin. And somehow it got over to his cheek as well.

By that time I m really wondering how he is not awake yet. He is making this way too easy. We hv put tons of make up on his face, spoiling up my entire kit. Well, the old Nanz would hv killed anyone for raiding her make up supply.

"But u said ugly... Right bua?" Nayan asked holding up her pony tail in confused.

"Right!!" I nodded up at her.

After that I did the eyeliner thing with the little wing in the end that I hv seen Aliya doing. I try not to poke him or the whole plan will be ruined. I put on some blue glitter over his eyes to see Nayan looking at me oddly.

"Well just to get some colour out there...."

I said shrugging at her. Well, to be honest, I had really started to enjoy this.

At this, Nayan broke out into a fist of giggles out loud. I tried to shush her but it's too late....

She has awaken the Monster, stirred the beast!

His hands begin to move a little and we jump at the sudden motion. He makes a grunting sound and turn over a little. His eyes open up, ever so slowly.

"Nandini?" he says, his voice husky and raw as it should after a deep sleep that he just had.

I picked up Nayan in my arms and scramble to the couch frantically.

"Shh..." I say to her as she kept a finger on her lips with a smile.

"Can someone plz tell me why do I smell like roses??" a harsh voice interrupts us.

We snap our heads towards him to find him uprights on the couch now. He rubbed his hand on his eyes casually and brings it down to find it glittering with the icey stuff. He looked at it with a bewildered look on his face. Ohh I guess the sparkle came off too soon.

Manik: What the hell??

Nandini: Manik... Don't curse!!

I said placing my hand on Nayan's ears. Nayan giggles at im and I can't help but join in.

His face looks like a painting that went drastically wrong. There is glitter and lipstick at places where glitter and lipstick should definitely be.

When he finally realises the situation he growls,

Manik: What hv u two done to me???

Nayan: We gave u a make ever!

Nayan said nonchalantly, not even realising that she said it wrong, while I stay silent, my hands on my lips as I realise how big a crime this actually is.

Manik: Well why would u want to do that?

He asked his eyes focused over me. There was something unerringly creepy in the way he said that. It was way too calm, way too serene. As if it was the calmness before a strom.

Nandini: Well I figured ppl liked ur face a whole lot, including u urself, so I want to give u-

But he stopped me in between asking,

Manik: Give me what?

His calm voice again made me fumble...

Nandini: Umnn... An..... Umn An Upgrade.... Yup, that's it! An upgrade. U know as in facial upgrade...

He gave me a flat glare and took out his phone to see the state of his face. I got up from my place getting ready to run. He lets out a strangled scream, which he thinks is manly, on seeing his face.

He gives us a deadly glare before launching on towards the two of us. Nayan shrieks out loud making me join her as the two of us run outside the room. We both r trying our best to laugh and run, but I guess the combination of both is not very effective.

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What do u think is gonna be the Monster's punishment for the prank that Nandini played over him???

Or will he easily forgive her???

How many of u liked that Nandini finally talked out about her parents to Manik???

Do comment ur views for the update guys and keep reading!!

Love😘

-Navya