I Will Be Waiting

Chapter 2

It was another elite & gala programme held by Indian Navy for the celebrations of Christmas tonight.

And just like previous 2 years, Manik had made luxurious plans of avoiding the party, just crash on his bed & read some good novels.

He had always attended these functions for his dad. Just to spend some quality father-son time, drinking, cracking jokes, pulling each others leg & what not, besides the meet and greet sessions with his father's coursemates & colleagues.

But after he went away, Manik had no more suitable reasons left to attend those parties.. no one to nag behind him & order him to let himself free and enjoy with his semi-aged guys & girls. But being the silent one since always, he never felt comfortable to start a conversation or gell up with people unknown to him. So he used to be with his dad more often, whenever Murthys' were transferred to a different place..

Though Cabir had already executed several plans to get Manik to the party tonight, all of it turned out to be a big flop with that same plain, simple & straightforward "No" on his face by Manik.

Cabir was a good friend of Manik & Manik liked spending time with this walking-talking bundle of jokes. But parties were definitely not a place he would want to be with him, for Cabir being 'The Joker' of their batch, had a lot of friends.. intact most of their coursemates & many from the juniors were there in his friends list as well.

So Manik knew, even if he goes to the party he would feel left out & he definitely didn't want Cabir to be with him all the while ignoring his friends.

After all these failed attempts, Cabir had given up trying anymore too. And Manik was relieved.

Cabir called him as the last try just to convince him, "So you're not coming?"

"No", Manik said.

Cabir sighed aloud. Just then his father appeared from behind, snatched his phone, "You aren't coming to the party tonight Malhotra?!"

Mr. Murthy always called him Malhotra whenever angry or irritated at him.

Rear Admiral Anant Murthy had already been shifted to INS Mumbai from INS Chennai 2 months back. And Manik had not even got time to meet & talk to him due to his hectic schedule, except for the exchange of greetings whenever they crossed paths here and there in office.

Manik fidgeted with words to come up with a considerable reason, "Umm... yeah Sir. I was-"

Anant cut him in between saying, "It's not Sir, it's uncle for you!! It isn't office hours that I'll allow you to call me that!" in an authoritative tone.

This made Manik smile, cause he knew the man on the other side can never fake his anger for long, "Yaa Uncle, it's just that I was feeling too tired to attend the party after returning to the Mess.."

"Nothing working Malhotra! You HAVE to come tonight, or else I'm not talking to you for the next week.", He confirmed.

Manik chuckled at that childish threat, "Ok ok! I'll come." Though he agreed, he knew he's gonna get bored AF at that party. But he could do anything for that man, even if that meant leaving the love of his life, his novels & his bed and attending that stupid function.

Anant was visibly happy, "I knew it you won't let my wish down. Infact Tara wants to meet you desperately, since it's been so long since you met her last. And I'll introduce you to Nandu as well!"

Nandu... His mind was stuck at that.

Manik was currently standing infront of the entrance to the huge community hall which was now beautifully decorated with full red and white decors. White fake snows, silver snowflakes, Santa hats & socks, red & white curtains & fairy lights, with a dj at one corner looking after the music & drinks counter at another corner.

The hall was already filled with officers, their betterhalves & children.

Only by looking at so many people, he went in a dilemma if he should still go back to his wardroom or face the HUGE crowd gathered in there.

When he was lost in his thoughts, Cabir was about to pounce on him who was standing at the entrance in a perfectly fit classically simple white tuxedo, paired with white ironed shirt, a black bow tie & a pair of shiny black shoes.

Manik immediately took two steps back seeing his over excited friend approaching him, showing him his hand to not come closer to him, "Don't!! Don't put your dirty hands on my tux! And moreover, I'm not talking to you."

After all he couldn't let Cabir spoil his hair & outfit, which he took long 1 hour to select & get ready into, whereas it was always 15 minutes max he would take to get ready.

For the very first time, Manik took so much of efforts to prepare himself. Reason? Well that was for a special cause, a special person.

Being astonished Cabir joked, "What the hell!! You only called me dirty & now you yourself are saying you won't talk to me? When it was supposed to be me to say that I think."

Moving ahead to enter the hall leaving Cabir behind, he said, "As if you don't know why I said that."

Cabir chuckled at that & took fast steps to reach him. "Ya ofcourse I know bro! I very well know how much you love me that you came to this 'Stupid silly boring' party of yours, JUST FOR ME. Awww", he said dramatically.

Manik simply glared at him, to which Cabir laughed out loud. He rolled his eyes at Cabir & started looking around to spot Mr & Mrs Murthy, "Where's uncle-aunty?"

"They haven't reached yet. So you have to bear me some more time longer LOVE."

Manik cringed at that & made a disgusted face.

"I'm getting myself a drink. Move aside!"

"I thought it was supposed to be, 'I am getting myself a drink. Shall I get something for you?' isn't it?!", Cabir said as a matter of fact.

Seeing Manik making faces at that, he himself added, "Ya right I know. That service is only reserved for that 'special' someone."

Manik didn't reply to that, rather he moved forward to the drinks corner to get himself a drink, with Cabir following him.

They were chatting, which was mostly Cabir pulling his leg & Manik rolling his eyes, when he almost shouted at Manik's ears, "There they are!!"

Manik cringed his brows & closed his ears at that sudden shout saying, "Oh God Cabir are you-"

He couldn't get anymore words out of his mouth, when his eyes followed the direction Cabir pointed to and fell on that girl holding Mr Murthy by his arms with a beautiful smile playing on her lips & those twinkling eyes, which were looking all around & was waving a hi at many of her friends whom she could spot.

Manik was too spellbound staring at the sheer beauty in a wine red shoulder less frock with a gorgeous net bodice who was no less looking like a fairy just landed from heaven, walking in the sparkling party increasing it's glam.

Hundreds of people bustling, the music playing, Cabir calling out for him, everything blurred when his eyes fell on her.

Cabir nudged him hard & giggled saying, "Your jaw is touching the ground bro."

Manik just straightened himself still his eyes not leaving her, when Cabir added, "I know my chudail is looking ethereal & most of the guys present here, cannot but simply stop-and-stare at her."

And further said in a dramatic tone, "But THE LIEUTENANT MANIK MALHOTRA gawking at a girl is something unexpected, unbelievable, unreal!!"

Manik just then realised how shamelessly, unabashedly he had been staring at her.

And a slight red hue crept on his ears & cheeks. And he smiled slightly at himself, seeing how he could still not get over her...