39. Nandini's Gift

Surprise!!!

An apology chapter for not updating.

Happy reading

"I hate dolling up. I look like a clown, please Aliya I beg you to spare me." Mukti literally begged Aliya kneeling in front of her by joining her hands, but Aliya is total Hitler when it comes to party dolling up. She gestured Mukti to stand up "Dear Mukti, you cannot escape from the clutches of the make up and fashion expert Aliya, so I suggest you to sit quietly and listen to me what I say."

This made everyone who were ready to protest including me shut the thing called mouth. Aliya gave me a cocktail dress with heart line necked of red and black colour and matching jewelleries and did same thing with other girls. The only one that escaped from Aliya's torture was Navya. She did not completely escaped but partially escaped from it. She was given a peach colour gown with gold jewellery.

It was a rule to bring a date to the party and everyone had date including me, the only exception was Vibha who was not knowing what to do? Manik had tried setting her up with one his friends who fell ill so now we are currently searching her the date. "Guys please go without me, I am okay, you guys enjoy." I was about to oppose when Aditya. Oberoi came to us "Is there any problem?" his question was all required to Navya to explain the problem and him offering his help.

I walked along with Manik and reporters started taking pictures. I just clutched Manik's arm and went along with him with smiles on my face. "Where is my gift?" how will I tell you Manik that your gift will be available if you come to the romantic date. Thanks to fab 4 who gave him the gift which was the collage of their childhood to their current life memories. it was Navya who gave him the traditional Patna dress and ordered him to wear it on ethnic day of college.

Vibha gave him the tickets of the concert held by the famous band of US. It was my turn "Manik will you sneak out of this party?" I asked, I know this is wrong but how will I tell him that he will get his gift when he sneaks out. "We both will be free after 10:00, dad will handle the party and we can sneak out." I wanted to dance hearing it.

After numerous wishes and congratulations from everyone finally it was 10:00 and we successfully snuck out. I gave the address of the location and we were allowed to enter as I showed them the ticket and the postponing of the date. "Wow this is so cool." Manik said once we entered the scheduled place. It was open space where the pool was decorated with flowers floating on it in heart shape. The trees and plants were decorated with lights that attracted.

"This was from Abhi. He wanted me to distract you yesterday, but we had to meet Mr. Khan so I rescheduled it today." I said and removed my gift from the packet. "This is your birthday gift." I gave the present which he opened eagerly just like kids. "Wow!! This is beautiful! How did you came across this?" he said and earing it on wrist. I was happy he liked it.

I had bought him the gold bracelet which was embedded with a heart shaped stone painted in red. "Is this the stone we get on the road?" he asked to which I smiled

"I want to tell you a story behind it. Before I was admitted to boarding school, Rishab and me were very small he was not less than a sibling to me. Once we were in Mangalore beach and he handed me this and said 'I know you will miss me and even I will miss you so if you remember me just see this stone and assume my love is there with you.' I was too small to think all this intricacies so I asked 'Why did you pick a stone you should have given me something else it is very heavy to carry.'"

"Now I think about it I feel so silly, but did you know what he said? he said 'My love for you is strong as this stone and heavy infinite times of this, but if you find somebody who loves more than me please give this to him and love him not more than me.'" Manik started laughing "So you won't love me more than Rishab?" He rally reads between the lines. "I thought I could never love anyone more than Rishab, but my dreams took the love in greater height, but you crossed that line and now I love you more than my dreams."

This stopped every movement of Manik. He stared at my eyes to see the falsity, but all he saw was sincerity "Do you really love me?" wow till now I was just wasting my time "I love you Manik. I don't know how? but I love you." He hugged me as soon as I finished my love confession "I love you too. I thought I have to develop grey to listen this from you." This earned him a smack on his arm.

I tightened my hold on him not to let him go. "What happened?" he observed it and cupped my face "I am scared. Scared to loose you. Scared to loose everyone. You came into my life everything changed but now, I feel everything will go away once I am happy. First my parents, my Amms, Uncle and Aunt, Rishab and my friends. I am scared to loose again." This was my nagging feeling from the start. So I always stayed away from everyone not feel another heartbreak.

"You will not loose me nor anyone. Do you know why?" he asked me to which I nodded no "I will not let anyone to go from you. You know you are that fevistick that stick our friendship. Because of you Navya, Vibha, Jason, Abhi and many others are related to us. So don't let your fear overpower you. I am happy you believe me enough to share this with me."

Don't let your fear overpower you.