REWINDING US

Ch2: One Dream

Nandini: "Maaaaanik, please yar! Tell me where are we going?"

Manik: "Shhhh! Motii kitna bolti hai yar tu"

Nandini: "Huh! Moti? I hate you Manik Malhotra. Mujhe kahin nahi jana tere sath."

Manik: "chup na! Surprise hai. We've almost reached.

There was only darkness all around. Just a glimpse of light coming from a far away place.

Manik: "come"

Nandini: "tu meri aankhein kyun band her raha hai"

Manik: (comes close to her at puts a finger on her lips) Shhh! Bass! Not a word.

(Manik asks Nandini to open her eyes)

The entire area behind the bushes was lit up with decorative candles. Lots of rose petals were spread right in front on the ground in the shape of a big heart. (Manik removes Nandini's footwear and makes her stand in the middle of the heart.)
Before Nandini could utter a word Manik kneels down in front of her with a rose in his hand.

Manik: "So, my dear best friend, you know how bad I am at expressing myself. And I believe that actions speak louder than words. So, I thought of arranging all this for you. I just can't explain how much you mean to me. You're my life Nandini. My happiness, my hope, my love, my star.
So, if you could please allow me to address you as my girl friend instead of best friend from now on? How about that?"

Nandini could not believe her eyes and ears. She always wanted this but she didn't expect this to happen so soon. She was surprised. Her happiness knew no limits. She started laughing, crying, blushing all at the same time.

Nandini: "Manik.. are you.. serious? I mean all of this.. I don't know what to say.."

Manik: "Oh hello.. madam aap thoda jldi karenge my knees are paining!

Nandini: "Damn it Manik! Kya karungi main tere sath. You only know how to spoil the most beautiful moments with your ridiculous sense of humour."

Manik gets up and pulls Nandini close to himself by her waist with a single jerk.

Manik: "Achha toh it's the most beautiful moment for you. Is it?"
Nandini: "Vohhh.. Maine aisa kab kaha?

Manik: "C'mon Nandu. Don't spoil this. Bolo na" (Manik whispers in her ear)

Nandini: "Do I really have to say it Manik. Can't you read my eyes. Of course it's a yess!"

Location: Ontario, Canada

Nandini

"Nandini?..Nandiniiii??..Nandiniiiiii????"
I could hear Alya calling my name. But I was too engrossed in my most perfect dream that I just didn't want to open my eyes. I seriously wanted to hit her so bad for waking me up right now.

"Miss Nandini Murthy why are you smiling?"
She said again and now I was wide awake. What? I was smiling. Parr.. uggghhh! Not again yaa.

"Nandini, are you getting up or should I splash water on you in this extremely cold weather"
Alya was now irritated. I was at her place for sleepover as her parents were not home. And I'm sure why she is pissed, I just made her late for the college.

"Sorry Alya. I.. I know I slept too much. I'm sorry. We're late."
I kept blabbering as I still didn't understand what was happening. Where was I? What's real and what's not?