Wajah Tum Ho

22. The Chaos Within

Tujhse zyada wafa nibha rahi hain yaadein teri;
Tu chala gaya, par yeh jaati nahi.

Translation: Your memories are more loyal than you,
You are gone, but they are still here with me.

Nandini was looking through the various options for the covers of their upcoming album, surfing through the various photos of the Fab5. She had already picked one but it was important to seek Fab5's approval as well. Although they had selected their pick but she wanted to be sure. Suddenly her heel got stuck into someone's shoe, and she was about to kiss the floor but the owner of the shoe immediately held her by her waist. While she was still trying to calm her heartbeats the person, who held her, was lost in his own thoughts, perhaps some memories related to such incidents.

"You are clumsy and careless as hell Nandini. Accept that"

"Shut up Manik or i'll kill you right here, right now."

Manik smirked at her, who was irritated as hell. He went towards her, snatched the anti-septic from her and started applying it with utmost care, blowing on it gently, on her now scratched elbow while she was looking at him.

Manik: Mujhe chup karwane se kuch nahi hoga. If you weren't clumsy then you wouldn't have fallen down the stairs Woh bhi on your own, matlab chalte chalte tapak gayi tum. How ridiculous!

He snorted which only made her angrier but he was not finished as of yet.

Manik: And if you were a little careful about yourself then you wouldn't have worn heels when you know you can't balance yourself in them.

Nandini pouted babishly at him which only made him smile, but he hid with a smirk.

Nandini: Toh isme meri kya galti? Tum toh ek number ke Eiffel Tower ho toh mujhe tumhari height match karni padti hai na.

Manik controlled his laugh by biting his lower lip, hearing her cute complaints. He stood up and looked down at her who too mirrored his actions and was about to walk out when he held his arm in front of her, not touching her but stopping her.

Manik: Ab iss mei meri kya galti ki tum chuhe jaisi ho.

While Manik had to literally control himself from bursting out into a fits of laughter, Nandini's face was reddened with anger.

Nandini: How dare you, you khamba! You...you know what? Tumse toh baat hee karna bekar hai.

With this she pushed his arm and took a step to walk but her heels got unbalanced and yet again she was about to kiss the floor when Manik's arms wrapped around her stomach from behind, pulling her back to him. He leaned over her back and put her hair aside.

Manik: You can fall as many times as you want because I'm always there to hold and heal you.

Nandini smiled as a blush broke out on her features, and leaned back on his chest as he tightened his arms around her back hugging her.

Alas! Sometimes, forevers also don't last forever.

Manik was brought out of his reverie as Nandini cleared her throat. He made her stand and held her by her waist to steady her. The air between them was thick and awkward as hell. Never did they ever thought that one day, the memories that they chased, would haunt them.

Manik: You...ok?

Nandini nodded her head vigorously and looked down. It was just too much for her to bear. She needed to walk away from him but had her duties to fulfill. Manik could feel her getting impatient and he assumed that she wanted him away from herself. He had caused enough damage to her already bruised heart, so he decided to leave from there.