MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

6. Happy birthday Kabir!

~ Birthdays are meant to be special, no matter what and how. Period.~

It was 9 am in the morning and as expected neither of them had woken, everyone was in their dream world still asleep. After about 15 minutes Nandini woke up and found Navya still sleeping beside her. She smiled seeing Navya sleeping like a baby and finally got out of the bed, freshened up and thought of making breakfast. It was around 10 when Navya came out of the room. She was already freshened up so she offered to help Nandini in serving the breakfast and Nandini went to wake up both the Kumbhkarans. Tip toeing into the room, she found Kabir already awake, He was setting his hair in front of the mirror, making faces at himself.

" Someone is taking super efforts to get ready?", Nandini as usual teased him and he blushed, making her chuckle.

"So, any problem?", Kabir said hiding his smile," By the way, what are you doing here so early?"

"Early? It's past ten already, I came to wake you up but you are already up!", Nandini said sadly as her plan to throw a bucket of ice water on him had failed now. But in the next moment her face lit up, she had another target too.

"You get ready, I am going to have a little fun waking up your best friend", Nandini replied merrily when Kabir stopped her.

"Manik is still sleeping?", the surprise was in his voice confused Nandini.

" Yes, so? Why are you being so surprised?", Nandini could not understand what was so surprising about this fact.

"Then don't wake him up, Nandu. Let him sleep as much as he wants!", Kabir pleaded with a happy smile dancing in his eyes.

"What? But why? We haven't come here to sleep, have we? Let him sleep in his own mansion, not here! ", Nandini frowned. She was about to turn and leave when Kabir held her wrist to stop her.

" Nandu, stay, listen! Frankly I don't remember when was the last time I witnessed him sleeping more than 3-4 hours required for his body to function. If he is sleeping till late, carefree, this would be the best birthday gift for me. So, please? Let him be!", Kabir literally pleaded her.

Nandini was again lost in his words. The face she had tried so hard to forget again came rushing back to her. She remembered how last night she had seen him smiling and laughing genuinely, and how those smiles were lighting up his eyes. Again the worry took hold of her and she looked at Kabir with pleading eyes to tell her the truth. Kabir could not look at her and looked back at the mirror. Nandini didnot say anything and walked back to the kitchen.

" What happened? Are they still sleeping?", Navya looked at her questioningly.

"Well, I woke up and even I am ready to go", Kabir answered proudly, as he came down. Navya started laughing seeing him so dramatic and even Nandini could not help but smile.

"Manik?", Navya again asked.

"He is sleeping. Leave him, lets plan something for today!", Kabir tried to change the topic.

"Nandu, ice- cream? Vanilla?", Kabir  really knew how to change her mood in fraction of seconds. Nandini happily agreed and Kabir went out to fetch some ice cream for them. Meanwhile both the girls arranged the drawing room for their movie session. Cushions, popcorn, cold drinks and everything else was already ready. Finally both the girls sat selecting which movie to watch.

At about 11:30, Manik lazily opened his eyes and for a few seconds was oblivious to his surroundings. And then he looked at the time and was shocked. How come he slept till so late? And then he remembered the last night convo with Nandini and how he had slept without his pills. He did not know what to make of the things happening around him. Ignoring everything, he got ready and went down to see his breakfast on the table and both the girls scratching their heads to decide which movie to watch. He picked up a sandwich from the table and meanwhile Kabir came back with the ice cream. Seeing him back Nandini jumped from her seat and took the packet from his hands. As she turned to serve the icecream she saw Manik standing by the table looking at her. Their eye lock was broken by Kabir's voice.

" Hey bro, slept well ?", he winked at Manik.

" Yeah, I don't know why though", Manik answered and Kabir came and hugged him. Manik knew why was Kabir behaving like that while Navya was totally blank. She could not understand what was so emotional about sleeping till late, after all, all we get is scoldings if get up late at home. Nandini didn't react and served ice cream for everyone.

Later, they spent the afternoon watching a comedy movie. To be honest, the walls and curtains watched the movie as all four of them were busy in throwing pillows, enjoying popcorn and gossiping. They even went for a long drive in the evening. On reaching back home, Kabir got a call and he excused himself while Nandini dragged the remaining two aside to discuss something. Some time later they had their dinner and were sitting on the couch teasing each other when suddenly Nandini got up and hugged Kabir.

"One hour advance happy birthday to my bestest friend...", she chirped happily, "Rest all celebrations, tomorrow okay? I am very sleepy right now".

" I will join you, happy birthday Kabir", Navya wished him and both of them went for their room, trying hard to hide their smiles.

Kabir's face was a sight to see. His eyebrows knitted together and he was really very angry and at the same time sad. He had expected a midnight birthday bash and he also had his surprise for Navya to execute. Though, fate seemed against his plans for now.

At the same time Manik got a call and he excused himself saying he had some office work to complete. Now Kabir was really angry. He went to his room and banged it harshly.

On hearing the banging sound, both the girls came out of the room and started giggling. Then they ordered Manik to guard Kabir's room and both of them set off their work. They decorated the room, placed the cake and the gifts they brought for him and called Kabir's family on skype. When the clock striked 12', they all banged open his door with a shout- HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Kabir was startled with the noise and was happy beyond words. Then Navya dragged him to the drawing room and he was surprised to see the arrangements. First he talked to his family and took their wishes and blessings. Then he cut the cake and all of them fed the pieces to each other. After eating a piece each, the rest of the cake was used for cake fights and rubbing on each other's face.

Now came the time of gifts. Nandini gifted him a scrapbook full of memories and poems she had written for the friendship she, Mukti, Alya and Kabir shared. Manik hugged his best friend tight and gifted him a branded watch. And then they gave him the shirts and sweets and many more things his mother had especially sent for him.

While they were so engrossed in the gifts, suddenly lights went off. Before anyone could react, a center spot light fell on Kabir and he saw Navya walking towards him with a red rose in her hand. She came up to him and Kabir was totally shocked. She sat on one knee, forwarding the rose towards him.

" Mr Kabir Dhawan, a year ago when I met you, by God, I never thought that a day like this would come too. But Kabir, you tolerated all my melodrama, wiped my unnecessary tears, ane understood me in ways nobody else could. You saw that Navya, which none else ever saw in this crazy, black and white version of me. And today, all I want is to spend my entire life with you. So, will you give me the honour to be your life partner ?"

Kabir was overwhelmed with her confession. He was planning to propose her but Navya had her own share of surprises for him. He holded her by her shoulders and when she stood up he took the rose from her.

" This is my best birthday gift Navya, yes I will be honoured to have you as my life partner ", he said with misty eyes whereas Navya had already started crying.  took her in a bone crushing hug and kissed her forehead while Nandini took a snap of the lovey dovey couple.

"Hello hello, there is plenty of rooms available here for your romance", Nandini pulled their legs and both of them blushed hard. Finally all of them shared a group hug and then Manik and Nandini excused themselves with some or the other reason to give the couple their much needed privacy.