MaNan: Unadulterated Love|| Completed

22. Prepreations for the Celebration!

~ It takes hurting someone a little, to heal them for forever~

Nandini was hell excited for the upcoming Saturday. She already had made so many plans and yet there were many more ongoing in her mind. She wanted it to be one of the best birthdays of his life, one of the best because this year onwards each of his birthday would be special, she would make sure of that! But then, doing everything single handedly was a little difficult and she knew very well exactly whose help she needed. 15 minutes later, she was standing outside Kabir's apartment.

She rang the doorbell and after a few moments Kabir opened the door only to get surprised by seeing her. Nandini and Kabir had not much intearacted after that incident, it had a graver effect on all three of them, and also Navya, who had to see the love of her life in pain.

"Nandini?", he was clearly at loss of words, and Nandini knew exactly why.

"Why? Am I not allowed to come?", she asked crossing her arms across her chest.

"No, nothing like that, come in!", he called her in and she happily barged in.

Locking the door he entered to find Nandini had disappeared in his kitchen. He kept standing at the door fumbling with what to do. For the first time in life he was nervous to have a talk with his best friend. While he was busy contemplating his thoughts , Nandini came out with two mugs of yummy hot chocolate and handed him his cup.

"I think Kabir you have forgotten our basic rules. You are not allowed to be awkward with me, ever!", she mentioned with a strict face and Kabir gulped looking at her. He still could not fathom how to react at the moment. But before he could think of doing something to lessen the seriousness of the situation, Nandini came forward and pulled his cheeks .

"Ouch! Nandu!", Kabir shreiked loudly and a Tom and Jerry fight started between the duo, both running all over the house, throwing cushions at each other which later turned into apple- orange fight from the fruit basket since all the cushions were already on the floor.

" Alright! Alright! ", Nandini said panting heavily, raising up her hand and Kabir finally smiled at her kiddish antics.
A few minutes later, both were sitting on the couch, sipping their hot chocolate with all the formality gone.

" So now you are certain he is the one for you?", Kabir asked her, and a smile formed on her face.

" I was sure since a long time, now I am just strong enough to say it!", Her confession left Kabir ecstatic, and he took her in a bear hug.

" So the princess found her prince charming, finally?", Kabir teased, and Nandini blushed, looking down.

"Certainly!", Nandini answered, and her confidence was something that relived Kabir a lot.

They then discussed her plan for Manik's birthday, but Kabir went grumpy in between when Nandini refused to share certain minute details of her plan. Kabir was given two responsibilities regarding the plan- first to keep Manik out till exact 12 am that night and second to make sure he believed Nandini who was going to pretend that she left for her hometown and would not be here till the weekend.

"But Nandini, atleast tell me what are your intentions?", Kabir pleaded once more, trying his luck, but Nandini simply, shook her head.

"Something special!", She dismissed him, and picked up her purse to leave. She also had to convince Manik that she was leaving.

After all the essential preplanning done, she straight away went to Manik's cabin with her leave application.

" Manik, sign this for me, please", Nandini batted her eyelashes, hiding a smile that threatened to escape her.

Manik was startled at the sudden request, he frowned and studied the paper.

"What is this?", He asked her, his heart already beating fast.

"My leave application, from today until monday!", She announced, but her face lost its happy vibe watching the myriad of emotions passing through his face.

"But why? I mean suddenly?", Manik could not hide the disappointment from his voice.

"Yeah, actually Maa called and she was missing me, so I agreed. I will be back by Monday! Just the weekend!", She tried to act convincing, even though her all heart wanted was to give up the pretense and hug this man, the curve of whose face had faltered down.

Manik silently took the paper and signed it. She saw his glum face and even for a moment felt bad but then it was important for the upcoming moments.

" Okay then, I will leave. I have to pack! Bye!", Nandini immediately left, she couldn't see the sadness on his face anymore.

Manik was left stunned with this unexpected event. He was not prepared to handle that day again, alone. He dreaded that day like anything, and once gain he had to tolerate that day. He moved his hand through his hair in frustration as he could not even tell her the reason he didn't want her to leave. Silently praying for this week to pass, he engrossed himself in work, his only remedy.

Nandini on the other hand was ready with her plan. She just hoped everything goes smoothly as she had planned. She was excited to see the expressions on his face when he would see all her hard work. Yet before going to bed, she made sure Manik had his dinner and even made him asleep by humming his favourite melody on the phone.

The next day was Friday which passed for her in all the preparations. She cross checked at the office that Manik was still in the office at evening 5 and then informed Kabir to go and keep him occupied for the time being. Then ,she went to the Mansion and started all her decorations and other required things. She herself baked a cake for him. Finally by 11 PM, she was done with everything and took a breath of relief.

On the other hand, Manik had kept himself busy with the office work entire day and he even planned to spend the night in office but Kabir somehow convinced him to take rest and go home. They left the office together and exactly at 11:55 Kabir parked the car outside mansion.

"I will leave now, take care!", he said with a mischevious smile but Manik was too preoccupied with his fears and self culpability to notice anything around him. He absent mindedly nodded and went towards the main gate.

" I pray God, whatever Nandini have planned should go well, and let Manik be free of her fears!", Kabir prayed earnestly and drove back home.

Manik went towards the door and found it already ajar. He with slow steps moved towards the door, fear rising in his heart with each passing moment, as his eyes got accumosted to the darkness peeking out of the ajar door and finally he pushed open the gate, with a shivering hand.