❤ You Belong With Me ❤

Part 4

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At Malhotra Mansion-
Manik and Cabir stepped out of the car, laughing at some joke that Cabir had cracked. "Achha listen, tu aaj raat yahin ruk jaa. We'll watch a movie or something."
said Manik, as they walked inside the mansion. "Tu nahi bolta toh bhi main rukne hi wala tha. Kal subah aunty ke hath ke Gobi ke parathe bhi toh khane hain." replied Cabir, with a toothy grin. Just in time Nyonika came down the staircase, into the living room.
Nyonika Malhotra, was a lady of class and style. She was a business woman, but no less a mother, a wife. Her family and their happiness topped the list of her priorities, work being the second.
"Hello boys! How was the party? Tum dono ne khaya ki nahi achhe se?" asked Nyonika. "Don't worry Mom. Humne kha liya achhe se. And yes the party was great. Last one at SPACE!" he said trying to shut out the little bug of nostalgia of leaving college forming inside him, while Cabir quietly nodded in agreement.
Attempting to cheer them up, Nyonika said, "Bacho, the most important thing is that you all have each other and this great friendship. Being together is what matters, don't you think? Waise bhi, abhi toh you guys have miles to go and lots of memories to make. And rahi baat SPACE ki, woh toh kabhi bhi you can visit, hai na?"
Manik and Cabir, smiled at her in agreement. "Yes Aunty. Abhi toh hum sabki shaadi bhi nahi hui hai." said Cabir in a serious matter-of-fact tone, while Manik and Nyonika burst out laughing at his comment. "Chalo now, both of you carry on, main Kaka ke sath Moong Dal ka Halwa bhejti hu upar. Aj shaam ko hi banaya tha." said Nyonika. "Thanks Mom, you are the best!" said Manik, hugging her.
"Chal Cabir! I have to tell you something." he said as they climbed the stairs. "I know. You have that excited look on your face ever since we got here." he said, patting his back.
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In Manik's bedroom-
"So you're telling me that you didn't get her name but you guys talked about LIFE. Seriously Manik?" asked Cabir, turning to face Manik. "Cabir. I told you before. She was about to tell me and then Abhi came. By the way, Abhi is her brother." said Manik as he rested his head on the bed rest.
"Oh. Cool. Don't stress out now. If it has to happen, it will." said Baba Cabir. "Huh?" asked Manik, frowning at him. "Chhod. Kaunsi movie dekhega Bata. 'The Green Lantern'? " asked Cabir, browsing through the humongous DVD collection. "Yeah Okay" said Manik.
Midway through the movie, Raj Malhotra, Manik's Dad, who was passing by the room, entered inside smiling. Both the boys had fallen asleep out of tiredness of the day. He switched off the lights, closed the door and left.
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In the morning-
Cabir had already left after having his favourite Gobi ke parathe for breakfast as he was required at the radio station. He worked as an RJ, and was quite good at his job.
Manik came down, folding his shirt sleeves, looking as charming as ever. He went straight to the kitchen looking for his Mom.
"Mom, Mujhe kuch kaam hai. So I am going to the recording studio okay?" said Manik. "Achha okay. But come back soon. You remember the Murthy's? Or more specifically, Nandini?" asked Nyonika stopping all her work and turning to him. "Yes very well. We used to play so much! We were best friends. But what about them?" asked Manik, puzzled. "Well, they are back to India. In fact, Mumbai! So we are having them over for lunch today. Uff after such a long time we will meet!!" said Nyonika, excitedly. "Okay Mom, I'll be back before they come. Bye" he said kissing her on the cheek as he left.
"Okay Manik. Why are you so excited? You don't even know if she still remembers you. Anyway, can't wait for it." He thinks as he gets inside his car and drives off to the recording studio.
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At the Murthy villa-
Nandini stood in front of the mirror drying her wet hair. Though her taste was classy and elegant, simplicity was something she always maintained. Her one flash of smile could both wound and heal hearts.
She thought to herself, "Let's give the HOPE a second chance Nandini. Maybe a second chance is all that's needed." "Nandu! Neeche aana zara!" Her Dad called her from the living area. "Yes Appa coming!" She replied.
As Nandini came down the stairs, she had an unusual smile on her face, which didn't go unnoticed by her parents considering she had been rarely smiling since the past year.
Her mom, Sheena Murthy was a social worker and ran an NGO for orphan kids. She was a woman with strong ideals and that's where Nandini got most of her emotional strength from. Her dad, Raman Murthy, was a leading businessman in the market. He was an idol of honesty and hard work.
"Kya Hua Nandu? Itni badi smile?" asked her dad. "Kuch nahi Appa. Bas yu hi. Actually I slept well na that's why." she lied. Nandini had spent most of her night staying up because of the jetlag. But mostly because she kept thinking about last night. How a few of his words had pumped hope into her. How much she willed to be happy again and was actually ready to fight for it.
"Achha Nandu beta, you remember the Malhotra's? Our old neighbors. And Manik?" asked her Mom as she kept the tray on the table and handing two coffee mugs to the other two. "Haan Amma! How can I forget him! Best friends the hum. Plus kitni dolls todi hain usne meri!" said Nandini, making the other two laugh.
"Haan Nandu, wahi Manik. We'll be having lunch with them today, at their place. Ah! Kitne time baad milenge main aur Raj! I can't wait!" said Nandini's Dad.
"Achha okay! But before that, I am going for shopping with Navya. I promised her yesterday." said Nandini.
"That's alright. But be back on time, okay?" said her Mom. "Don't worry Amma. If I get late, I'll come there directly. You guys just send me the address. Achha okay chalo bye ab. Navya must be waiting. Byeee!!" chirped Nandini.
She grabbed her car keys and sling bag and moved out. On her way, she thought, "See Manik. I told you na that I would be back one day. But what if he doesn't remember me?"