A Journey from Rejection to Forever

Chapter 2

“Life imposes things on you that you can’t control, but you still have the choice of how you’re going to live through this.” — Celine Dion

Life is a journey that is meant to be embraced to the fullest every day.

M U M B A I A I R P O R T

Mumbai the city which never sleeps. It’s always awake. No matter how late it is, you will always find people run around. But one of the busiest places in the whole city is the airport. Because everyday or more precisely every hour one or another celebrity comes down here and paparazzi run behind them to collect some spicy news. After all it will help them to increase the trp of their respective news portal.

It was like some usual days in Mumbai but the happenings are somewhat different from the other days for few people. The chaos was going on all over the city. But it looks like there is something different going on today.

Let’s see what’s going on….

“Hello, viewers, welcome to our show, right now we are standing outside Mumbai Airport. I know there is nothing new. But today there is something definitely new. We have got the news that Manik Malhotra, the dashing captain of Indian Cricket Team is leaving for New York this night with his family. Let me inform all of you that there was rumor going on from last a few days that he is getting married. He was also spotted numerous times with his family in shopping. So, is the most eligible bachelor of India is getting married?”

“Is Manik Malhotra getting married? Manik Malhotra, the most eligible bachelor of India is seemed to tie the knot. From our sources, we have got to know that he is leaving for New York with his family. We tried to contact him but he remained unreachable. We also tried to contact his best friend c*m PA who also remained unavailable. Are all these pointing towards the D Day? Stay tuned to know more.”

“Breaking news!!! The hunk captain of Indian Cricket Team is all set to tie the knot with his all time girlfriend. Manik Malhotra is rumored to be dating model Jia Sen. Two years back both of them paired up for an ad shoot. From that time they have been spotted together frequently. They also seemed to be quite close which increase the curiosity between their fans and they were eagerly waiting for this day. Let me inform you all that Jia Sen is currently in New York while Manik Malhotra is also leaving for there tonight. Stay tuned for more update.”

“Manik Malhotra is all set to tie the knot with his rumored girlfriend Jia Sen? They have been together from quite some time now. They have also spotted together a lot time having fun. But they never came out and accepted their relationship in public. All the occasions from last few days is indicating to that only. What do you think let us know in the comment section.”

“The captain of Indian Cricket Team is not going to be bachelor anymore. Yes, viewers, you are hearing it correct, Manik Malhotra, the nation’s crush is seemed to tie the knot recently. We have informed you a few days back that Manik Malhotra was spotted in shopping mall with his family where he was buying some marriage outfits. The images from that day also went viral. We have tried to contact him in this matter but he was not ready to comment anything. Stay tune for further updates.”

A man in his mid twenty was sitting in front of the television set and surfing through the news channel. He was frustrated seeing the same news going on in all the channels. He turned off the television and sat his back leaning to the coach. He unlocked his phone and went to check his social networking sites but as soon as he logged into his account, his news feed flooded with all the tags and all. He didn’t have the patience to check all of them. So, he just replied to some of important messages and again logged out.

He got up from the coach and fell on his bed with a thud. His face was hidden in between the pillow. But he remembered something which managed to remove the frown from his forehead and a smile formed on his lips.

He looked at the time and sighed…..

“Manik….”

(So, it’s none other than the Manik Malhotra whose marriage rumor is going on all around. Is he really getting married?)

Manik turned back, there stood his brother, Anirban. He got up seeing him and passed a smile to his brother. “Bhai, why are you standing outside? Come in.”

Anirban passed him a smile and came in. He took his seat beside Manik. “Why are you sleeping down like this at this time? Is everything okay?” He asked while caressing his hairs like their childhood.

“Everything is fine, bhai. It’s just that I wanted to keep my personal life private but these paparazzi won’t let me do that ever. No matter how hard I try, they always find the information about me. I know I should have been okay with all these till now but it’s not okay all the time.” Manik left a breath after saying it all in a go.

Anirban smiled at him. “I can understand but you are a public figure, Manik, and they are your fans. They have the right to know what’s going on in your life. They are always supporting you. So, you can’t just be angry on them for wanting to know something about your life.”

Manik nodded his head in understanding.

“By the way I forgot why I have come here. Are you done with all your packing? Tridha sent me to check on you. She is hell busy with mom to check everything. It’s almost flight time.” He asked looking around the room.

Manik laughed out loud. “Bhabi herself packed my everything and she sent you again to check on me?”

Anirban too joined him. “Okay, then you get ready. I will check on them. I have to tell them to hurry up else we will miss the fight.”

Manik nodded and they got up together.

Anirban left from Manik’s room while he took his phone and typed a text.

“The destination is again the same but this time the reason is different. I can’t tell you how much I am eager to end this journey. Can’t wait to meet you, star.”

Then he went to change.

When he came out, he noticed the reply.

“You can’t imagine what I am feeling. Can’t wait to meet you too, hulk.”

Manik’s smile grew wider. He put his phone in his pocket and moved down with his luggage.

He found his mother and bhabi still running around. He nodded his head in disbelief. “Aren’t you guys done yet? We have a flight in an hour.” Manik said.

Anirban too agreed to him.

“Just 10 minutes more. I will check everything once more.” Sarita said.

She was about to walk out but Anirban held her hand to stop her.

“Mom, everything is okay. No need to check anything again. Why are you getting so worked up?” Anirban said.

Sarita didn’t get the chance to argue when Tridha came there.

“Mom, I checked everything. It’s all okay.” She said with a smile.

“See everything is done. Now let’s go.” Manik said.

They all nodded and walked out of the home.

IN THE AIRPORT

Manik reached the airport with his family. He had already informed the airport authority about his arrival and he asked them to give him privacy. They agreed for it and his bodyguards were already there.

Manik told his driver to enter through the back gate as the whole media was waiting out there. He didn’t want to face them right now. His bodyguards ran to open the car door and walked them to the inside of the airport.

“Welcome, Manik sir.” The manager came and greeted them.

“Thank you so much. You manged so well in the short notice.” Manik said with a genuine smile.

The manger nodded his head. “What are you saying, sir? You have forgotten, you helped me so much when I was in trouble. It’s very little compare to that.”

Manik smiled. “Okay.”

“Sir, come to this way. It’s almost time for your flight. You need to complete the procedure before that.”

Manik nodded and gestured everyone to come with them.

Finally after completing the check in and all, they moved inside the flight. Karan, Chahat and Akash were already there.

Karan got up and hugged Manik. “Finally you guys are here.”

Chahat and Karan went to Sarita and took her blessings.

They all settled down in there sits. Sarita took her seat a little away from them as she didn’t want to be between the younger clan. They might feel uncomfortable.

“Finally I few hours more before I get to see you again.” Manik texted to the same person and switched off his phone as the announcement was done.

“You are gonna meet her after the flight only. Then you will be with her all the time. Give her rest for sometime.” Akash teased Manik. Everyone laughed hearing him.

He faked a glare to him.

“By the way you never told us about your love story.” Chahat pointed out.

Manik passed a smile to her. “There is nothing much to tell. We meet in the school and fell in love. Her family was not ready to approach us because of the celebrity tag. So, mom went to talk to them and finally here we are.” He said in a simple tone.

But it’s not the entire truth. There are so much in between the falling in love and approach for marriage which only Akash knew there.

Akash gave Manik an assuring smile and asked through his, if he was okay or not. Manik also smiled at him and told he is fine.

Manik leaned his back to the seat and closed his eyes. It’s an almost 20 hours long journey. He drowned in their past. His and his star’s. The time was long enough to relieve them again.

It all started 8 years back……….