Notes of Love

where you belong

Nandini's footsteps echoed softly as she entered the building, her gaze naturally drawn to the large header board of the production house that gleamed under the fluorescent lights. Her heart fluttered with excitement, knowing that Manik had been pouring his soul into his music here for the past few months. The journey he'd taken to get to this point was nothing short of remarkable, his two songs had not only struck a chord with people but had also catapulted him into a new level of fame. The image of Manik, the perfect blend of raw talent and undeniable charm had won over countless fans, but Nandini? She had always known him differently, beyond the stage, beyond the crowd. She was here to surprise him, to remind him that there was someone who saw him as more than just the "star" everyone else adored.

Just as she was absorbed in her thoughts, a voice interrupted her, gentle yet firm. "Nandini Murthy?" It was a man, tall with a warm smile that instantly put her at ease.

She nodded, a small but polite smile playing on her lips. "Yes, that's me."

"I'm Rishi," he said, extending a hand. "I assume you're here to meet Manik?"

Nandini nodded again, her excitement building at the thought of finally seeing him after what felt like forever. "If he's busy, I can wait," she offered, not wanting to disrupt the flow of the work happening around them.

Rishi's expression softened. "We're just recording, no worries. Come in," he said, gesturing for her to follow.

As she stepped into the studio, the air seemed to hum with a certain energy, creativity, focus, and the kind of magic that happens when music is born. Manik's voice had been the soundtrack to her thoughts for months now, and now, seeing the place where it all came together felt surreal.

And then, her eyes met his. Manik's eyes widened in shock and unmistakable delight when he saw her standing at the doorway. His heart skipped a beat, she was here, in his world, after all this time. Nandini. The girl who had always been his anchor, the one person who knew him before the fame, before the world had fallen in love with his voice. And now, she was standing there in a simple, elegant blue gown, radiating warmth and a kind of peaceful presence that made everything else in the room fade away.

For a moment, the noise of the recording studio seemed to dim, and all Manik could hear was the steady beat of his heart, which had quickened at the sight of her. He glanced at the engineers, who were all still lost in their work, and without a second thought, he pulled off his headphones and walked towards her. There was no hesitation in his movements, just a magnetic pull that had always existed between them.

When he reached her, he didn't say a word at first. He simply opened his arms and enveloped her in a tight, familiar hug.

Nandini smiled, a deep, genuine smile that reached her eyes. The simple act of being in his embrace felt like everything had come full circle. All the distance, the time apart, the busy schedules, they all melted away in that moment. Manik's warmth, his scent, the feeling of him holding her close it was the kind of comfort that spoke to the soul. She could feel the rhythm of his heart, a steady beat that matched her own, as if their hearts had always been in sync, no matter the miles or the time that had passed.

Manik held onto her a little longer than usual, unwilling to let go, as if afraid she might disappear again. He pulled back just enough to look at her face, his eyes soft with emotion. "You... you're here," he whispered, a mix of disbelief and pure joy in his voice.

Nandini's fingers gently brushed his cheek. "Of course, I'm here. I had to see you. I missed you," she replied, her voice tinged with a vulnerability that she usually kept hidden.

Manik's gaze softened, and for a moment, the world outside the studio no longer mattered. It was just the two of them, no music, no fans, no fame, just the bond they shared, quiet and steadfast. He smiled, a smile that reached his eyes and held all the unspoken words between them. "I missed you too," he murmured, his hand brushing through her hair, the simple act making her heart flutter.