Love will Find The way

Chapter 66- The End of Beginning?

Manik's POV:

Nandini seemed to be surprised when I said I learnt telugu for her. ''O cheli kshaminchamannanu ga'' (O beloved, please forgive me) I vaguely remembered this song as I have thought of singing this song for her. ''You should say the next verse I think'' I said as I don't know what's next. Now, she knows I don't know it but surely I've heard the next verse. ''Next line tho mujhe pata nahi Nandini'' I said. ''Neekidi ivala kotha kaadu ga (This is not first time for you to ask for forgiveness)'' she helped me by singing it. After a really loooong time, I saw her smiling for me. It is the best feeling ever. Her smile made me smile automatically. But, as always our happiness is short lived as Aryaman called me. ''Go now, your friend is waiting'' Nandini seemed to enjoy my helplessness. ''Kya hai?'' I was little irritated. ''Exactly, what was that?'' Aryaman asked me. ''What? Tum sab ko lagta hai ki main aur Nandini ek dusre ko hate karte hai, no I don't hate her. At least get it now. I want to be friends with her'' I said to him. 

''So, you both are friends now?'' Aryaman asked. ''Of course, maine koshish kiya but Nandini still seems to be angry with me'' I said to Aryaman and Siya joined us. ''But she said she doesn't hold anything against you or me'' Siya said. ''Should we believe her after all that I did to her!'' Siya has no answer when I asked that. ''Ok but we have something important to discuss now'' Siya announced. ''What is it?'' Siya seemed to look excited. ''Come I'll show you'' me and Aryaman looked at each other before we followed her. ''Siya, kaha le jaa rahe ho?'' Aryaman asked her. ''Obviously we can't see until she show us something, so patience is the key'' I said to Aryaman and then lights blinked all over the place lighting it up. The decor was beautifully made and that's when we pointed out Rohan and Nandini there. He sat on his knees and my heartbeat raised up knowing what's going to happen next. ''Nandini, I love you'' Rohan said and Nandini stood there just like a statue. I couldn't read an expression from her face when she met my eyes. My heart sank when I heard Rohan. 

I looked at Aryaman who looked as shocked as I was. ''Is this what you wanted to show us?'' Aryaman asked Siya. ''Ha, it was their special proposal today'' Siya said. That means Rohan and Siya has planned it together. I have seen both of them being together since yesterday but never got a hint about it. ''I think ab hume yaha rukna nahi chahiye'' I said with a heavy heart. ''Par humne ab tak Nandini ka reply nahi suna hai'' Siya said but I couldn't stand there anymore. Aryaman and Siya also followed me. ''Nandini ke paas na bolne ka wajhe hi nahi hai'' Aryaman stated. ''Yeah right, Rohan is a good guy. He asked my help for arranging all this'' she said. Ye dono apne apne predictions tho bataya haihai but what about Nandini? Kya wo maan jayegi Rohan se.

I have seen Alya alone and I have excused myself from Aryaman and Siya to go to her. "Akeli idhar kya kar rahi ho?" I asked her. "Mere zindagi ka sabse bada decision lene wali hu aaj" she said. "Marriage is a big commitment I know, but why are you thinking now?'' I asked her. ''Are you planning to run away Alya?'' I asked her playfully but she seemed serious. ''I wish I could run away but the things are complicated. Dhruv will feel bad that I will ruin his reputation, he will not care about me calling off this wedding'' she said. I know Dhruv is particular about his reputation and brand value but the way Alya telling me about Dhruv is really scaring. If this is the case, she should definitely call off this wedding. ''If it is either me or his image, Dhruv will always choose his image, name and reputation only'' she said. I've heard the same thing from Nandini too, I have also chose Siya over Nandini. 

Kya Nandini bhi mere baare mein aise hi sochti hogi! No, Nandini ke sath main aisa kabhi nahi hone doonga. If she will be happy with Rohan, then I will never stop her. Maybe me and Nandini  were never meant to be together. ''Kya tum bhi wahi soch rahe ho jo main soch raha hu'' I asked Aryaman while driving back home. ''Tum kya soch rahe ho?'' he asked me in return. He can never answer me in simple words. ''Rohan aur Nandini ke proposal'' I said and he thought for a minute or so. ''Yes, I hope Nandini accepts his proposal'' he said. Even Aryaman feels he is right for Nandini. ''You never seemed to like that guy when Nandini befriended him, what made you feel like she will accept him'' I asked him. As far as I know, there was always a cat fight between Aryaman and Nandini about Rohan. Aryaman doesn't like Rohan or his family as he thinks they have all ruined Tara's life. ''If his father was alive, I would have not thought like this. But he is dead, so Nandini got no problem with him. I hate to admit but Rohan is a nice guy, bechara Nandini ko girl friend banaake kya karega wo'' he laughed. ''Why did you laugh? Is Nandini that terrible to manage?'' I asked him.

''Kis aur ke saath mujhe pata nahi but Rohan ke saath jo Nandini ne kiya wo koi aur nahi kar sakta'' he said. ''What happened to Rohan? What did she do?'' I was eager to know. ''You know that Rohan aur Nandini ki first film kuch dinon ke liye postpone ho gaya na!'' he said. ''Yes, Rohan ki accident ki wajhse se'' I stated what I knew. ''Wo accident nahi Nandini ne usse cliff se dhakka diya tha aur wo gir gaya'' Aryaman said casually. ''What?'' I immediately stopped my car knowing this. ''Is this true? Why did Nandini push him?'' I can't believe Nandini could take such a step, there should be strong reason behind it. ''You always say that I'm wrong with Rajesh Srivastav, unhone sirf Tara ke sath nahi sab ladkiyon ke sath aise hi behave karta hai. Nandini ke sath bhi usne aise hi misbehave kiya tho apne aap ko bachaane ke liye Nandini ne Rohan ke sath aisa kiya. Ye Nandini ki galti hai but I can't stop admiring her courage. Har ladki ki dealing technique same nahi hote. Tara has surrendered herself to the demands but Nandini did something to save herself even if it is wrong'' Aryaman got emotional at the mention of Tara.

I was feeling guilty ki Nandini ko yaha iss industry mein kya kya dekhna pada. Pehle wo Rajesh aur dusra main. I learnt how I have wounded her heart. I don't deserve her at all. ''Aryaman, ghar aa gaya'' I said and he walked inside silently. We both got freshened up and hit the bed. ''I have to pack all my things otherwise it'll be hectic afterwards'' Aryaman said. ''But why pack, you can arrange them in my wardrobe'' I said so that he can be comfortable. ''Why arranging again when we are going back in 3 days'' suddenly realization has hit me that we have to leave to New York in the next three days. When I was coming to Mumbai, I never thought I can talk to Nandini but now usse chodke jaane ka mann nahi kar raha hai. Oh God! Why is this so complicated, my brain knows that Nandini don't deserve me but my heart wants to be with her. What should I do? No, I can't be sitting here idle, maybe this is my last chance to meet Nandini. 

I made an excuse to Aryaman and rushed to see Nandini. The 15 minute drive to her place seemed like forever. My vision is blurred and I couldn't see anything for a moment until I wiped my eyes. Ye bin mausam barsaat bhi na! Like love, it has come to my life and when I want to drench in the drizzle, I'm being pushed out. Many times I thought Nandini and I are not meant together, I made up my mind and consoled my heart but aaj na dimaag na dil dono mujhe sun ne ke inkaar kar diya. The only thing which can give solace now is Nandini's presence. Pyaar mein na sahi par baarish tho mujhe bhiga diya. I rang the doorbell and she opened the door swiftly like always. ''Manik!'' she said in a surprising tone. She might find me as a complete mess now. The one that is standing in front of her is a loser now. Main tho har jagah fail ho gaya. As a friend, as a lover I have failed her. I have failed my mom as a son and as an actor, I have drastically failed. All my ways have closed now. Nandini was my last hope but I have now lost my hope. ''Come in'' she said and went inside to get a towel.

She handed it to me and I sat there. It was only silence between us. Earlier our silence was peaceful but this peace is killing me now. ''Manik, speak something'' she said. ''Kya bolu? Maybe you were right, we were never meant to be together'' I said. ''Are you talking about Rohan?'' she asked me. ''You know I was there Nandini, that was a beautiful moment. Rohan ne tumhare liye itna kuch kiya. I apologize for what I have done in your life. Aaj se Manik Malhotra ke chapter end ho raha hai tumhare life mein. Rohan tumhare liye sahi ladka hai'' I said. ''Of course, Rohan is a good guy, he will never take me for granted. He will never come home at this late hour, he will never buy an ice cream knowing that I'm on a diet. He will never do something which I don't like, Moreover he will never prioritize anything over me. Wo mere liye sahi ladka hai'' she said. ''Yes, I hope tum uske saath humesha khush rahogi and I will move out of your life. Main chale jaa raha hu 3 din mein'' I said. ''Why is it always about you Manik? You think you know everything about everyone? You can never be happy nor you can keep others happy because of you. Tumhare saath Siya bhi khush nahi hai. Why do you act like you know me so well?'' she said breaking in tears. The only thing I never wanted to see are Nandini's tears.

''Manik Malhotra, not you leaving but I'm throwing you away from my life and mujhe kabhi apna muh mat dikhaana'' she said slamming her door against my face.