"The best thing to hold onto in life is each other." - Audrey Hepburn
The day had arrived. Manik nervously stood in front of the mirror adjusting the collar of his sherwani suit with shaky hands. 3 years and a dreamy proposal later, Nandini was going to be his forever, by name, by papers and for all the world to see. His and only his."Are you ready, son?" His dad asked as he peeked into the room. In these past 3 years, Manik had come to an understanding with his father after a lot of effort from Raj and Nandini. Their relationship wasn't perfect yet but there was warmth. Warmth and support for each other.
"Kind of?" Manik breathed out a shaky laugh. He thinks, he would never be ready."It's the wedding jitters, Manik. It will go away. Trust me." Raj patted his son's back, a warm smile lingering on his lips. "As soon as you see her, you will be fine. It is the start of the most important phase of your life, Manik. Please love her and cherish her until the very end. No matter what it takes." A few years ago, Manik would have never imagined hearing such words of advice from his own father. Nandini somehow had managed to creep into the coldest of hearts. That's how she is. A beacon of light, in the darkest of nights.
In another room chaos gathered as women hurdled around the bride-to-be, trying to get a look at the ethereal beauty of hers. If Nandini could, she would have sent them away wanting a moment of peace before she stepped out to take the most important vows of her life. Chachi was standing in the corner of the room, observing her quietly. She immediately sensed her discomfort and who better than her to rescue her dear niece. Chachi quickly pushed everyone out under the pretense of some important arrangements left to be done. Nandini breathed out a huge sigh of relief, as soon as the last person left the room. Chachi smiled sympathetically at her, knowing exactly how she was feeling. She has been at that place. "Thank you, Chachi." Nandini turned around in her seat, with unshed tears in her eyes. Those tears were not from nervousness or exhaustion but from the fear of going away from her family, people she held dearly. "Nandini, please always remember that you will always find us by your side. You are our daughter and nothing will change. If your parents were here today, they would have been so proud of you." Chachi walked towards Nandini with a teary smile and placed her hand warmly on her head, as a way of blessing. Nandini leaned into her palms for she missed her mother's presence the most. She silently thanked God for sending angels in the form of her uncle and aunt and, Manik of course. Manik. The powerful shield in her stormy life.
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Manik couldn't breathe. His lungs stopped functioning and his hearts clenched in his chest. She is unreal, he thought. His eyes followed her and only her as Nandini walked down the aisle. A glow illuminated around Nandini that blinded everything surrounding her. She couldn't look into his eyes for she was too nervous, she was too scared that it was all a dream. But, something changed, someone called and the moment she looked at him, Nandini stopped breathing. They both stopped breathing like two hearts entwined together by fate and someone powerful up there. He isn't real, she thought.
Vows - they carry a lot of weight once made. They can alter one's life, one's story and one's will to love. Manik and Nandini made several vows to each other as they took circles around the holy fire. Vow to love each other for another 10 lifetimes, to stand for each other, to respect each other and most of all to let each other grow individually and together. They were going to build an empire with hopes and dreams and devotion. It will only get better from here, they thought.
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The wedding reception was at a high, the guests were happy, the newlyweds were seated together lost in their own world whispering sweet nothings to each other. People around the couple could see why they had ended up together despite all the hurdles life had thrown at them, their love was a force to be reckoned with. "Ladies and Gentleman, today we are here to celebrate the lovely couple Manik & Nandini. Let's bless them together." The crowd cheered. "Ahem. Before I start tearing up, I would like to call up my son-in-law to speak a few words. I'm sure he has a lot to say." Nandini's Chacha announced with a sly grin to cover up his moistened eyes.Letting go of his darling daughter wasn't easy for him but he trusted Manik, more than anyone in this world to keep her happy. He was the guiding light for both of them, since the very beginning. Always so strong, Nandini mumbled quietly.
Manik leaves a chaste kiss on his wife's head, before taking the center stage. Wife - he could really get used to it. Really. "Before I talk about Nandini, I'd love to talk about her family. Thank you chacha, thank you for everything. Maybe we wouldn't have been here celebrating this special day with our people if it weren't for you. I can't be enough grateful of you and Chachi for taking care of her for me. You can rest now. I'll keep her safe and sound." Collective awe reverberated from the audience. Ah, this man knows how to win over people, Nandini thought.
"Nandini. 5 years ago I wasn't the Manik that stands here today. I was cold, hurt and brooding. I didn't believe in love. I wanted to destroy everything that touched my heart. But, then you came. An everlasting ball of sunshine. You have been through so much baby but that didn't deter your positive outlook at life. You came crashing into me like a wrecking ball and stayed, stayed even when I pushed you away. I never thanked you for that. So thank you, my love, for changing me. For making me believe in the existence of love. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me." A lone tear escaped Nandini's eye for her heart was full. Full of adoration and tenderness for the man staring right at her as he spilled his heart out. Manik isn't the kind of person who publicly displays his emotions. So for him to be so open about his thoughts must have not been easy. This meant that she was his whole universe for which he will do anything out of the ordinary. "So my darling wife, can you have this dance with me?"
Manik and Nandini swirled around in the center of the floor, dancing to the tunes of the slow music. They had no clue about all the eyes that followed them and the silent whispers that floated around the room. They only had eyes for each other. "That was a very touching speech, Mr. Husband. I almost teared up." Nandini teased him. "Oh really? almost? Or was I imagining a tear falling down your cheeks?" Manik scoffed.Oh, they will never change. "Fine. Fine! I cried. It was too emotional for me not to." There you go, Manik thought. "I love you Manik. I love you with every bit of my soul. I'm never letting you go. You and I are forever. Always."
They danced away the night into new dawn as their family and best friends watched them on. They lived happily ever after. For Infinity.
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Author's Note:
So this is the end. Writing For Infinity has been a long journey. The last chapter is rushed, I'm extremely sorry. I just wanted to give you guys a good ending. Thank you for giving all of your love for this book. I hope you will come back to it anytime you miss Manik and Nandini. It will always be here, waiting. Always remember that true love triumphs all. Just wait for the right person.
