Night 10 p.m..Malhotra Mansion:

Manik was strumming his guitar..all the time lost in thoughts..thoughts of what happened the entire day..the hug of Abhi and Nandini..Abhi's talks..his care..Nandini's carefree attitude with him..Nandini's yet another avatar..her bike..her smile..remembering her smile made his lips turn up a little forming a smile  involuntarily..but that was just for few seconds..coz he recalled how they..i.e Nandini and Abhi reached the Trident hotel..where Abhi had arranged for his treat..

Flashback

Nandini and Abhi had reached the hotel on Nandini's bike..but the site in front of Manik n Mukti was enough to make them turn their heads..abhi was sitting behind Nandini on the bike..holding her waist tightly n hiding himself n Nandini was laughing...

Nandini's laugh did bring a smile on Manik's face but it even pinched his heart that it wasnt because of him but because of someone else.. The care that Abhi showed her was extra ordinary. How he had ordered each and everything of her choice..and had given them to order food of their choice.. how he himself was feeding her..how Nandini was nagging b behaving different with him..but at one point his care seemed to b too much for him..

Flashback

Abhi was feeding Nandini when all of a sudden Nandini choked on her food..making her cough rigorously..making tears roll down from her eyes.. Abhi just freaked out n started calling the top doctors back in US..just to ask them what he is supposed to do to relieve her from this pain! Thank God for Nandini..who stopped Abhi from taking her to the hospital.

Manik was not able to understand their relation..if Abhi really cares so so much for Nandini..then y wasnt he there with her for past 2 years? N Nandini..what must have happened with her that she changed drastically in these 2 years? Y dd she even think of taking a drastic step like suicide...! Suicide. ..this one word was enough for Manik to get him out of his thoughts..he cant even bear to imagine any type of hurt that Nandini wud have to face..NO..he cant let any pain reach Nandini.. He stopped strumming when he felt a hand on his shoulders. Turning back to see who it is..he finds his mom standing there with a smile. He sighs defeatedly..makes her mom sit next to him n lies down in her lap. Nyeonika starts stroking his hair lovingly..she knows something is bugging her son..but instead of asking she thought to give him time to speak up..she kmew he wud eventually say as its their "bond of no secrets".

After a while..

Man: Abhimanyu Nandini ko pehle se jaanta hai.

Nyeo (surprised): really? Kaise? Kabse?

Man: i dnt knw..but seeing them it looks like..they r very...very close to each other. Abhi cares extraordinarily for her..n even Nandini..she behaves so....differently with him. She behaves as if...as if he wud bear all her tantrums without any complaints.

Nyeo: mayb coz he really does. Shayad wo sach me uske har nakhre ko uthaana chahta ho.

Man: haan to? Aisa behave kerna hota hai kya? I mean jab tak tum kisi aur ko b chance nahi dogi..tab tak kaise pata chalega k me b saare nakhre uthaa sakta hu..tht too without complaining?

Nyeonika smiles widely on hearing him..she got it that Manik was feeling jealous..n somewhere deep down she was very happy for that. But being a mom..she cant see her son so upset too..

Nyeo: emmm..mayb coz that "koi aur" ne abhi tak use aisa feel nahi karaaya?

Man: haan to..chance dena chahiye na

Nyeo: aise maamlo me chance nahi dete..tumhe khud uske dil me jagaa banani padhegi..

Man: me...me apni baat..thodi ker raha hu. Bas general baat hai

Nyeo: haan..me b to general bol rahi hu.

Again silence...

Man: i dnt think uske dil me aur kisi k liye wo jaga hogi. She is really close to Abhi..n Abhi lo.. (closes his eyes ) loves her...alot.

Nyeo: kya usne kaha k uske dil me kisi aur k liye wo jaga nahi hai?

Man: kehne ki kya zarurat hai? Unhe dekh k to aisa hee lagta hai.

Nyeo: Mannu..tu phir se apni galti dohra raha hai. Bacha jo jaisa dikhe..zaruri nahi k waisa hee ho. Tune b to mujhe Akshat ko maa ka pyaar dete huwe dekha..to kya iska matlab ye tha k mere dil me ab tere liye koi jagah nahi? Shayad Abhi use bachpan se jaanta ho..isiliye Nandini uske close hai..itna waqt saath me bitaya..isiliye carefree hai.. har cheez ko alag angle se dekhne ki koshish ker..phir tujhe har baat pe yu devdas nahi banna padega (smacking his forehead lightly )

Manik silently hears her n then looks at her..as if trying to understand her. N when realisation dawns upon him..he gives a big waali smile to his mother..as if he got it tht his mom was showing him some hope..he immediately raises from her lap..kisses her tightly on her cheeks..

Man: thank u mom...lovve u so much..

Saying so..he was rushing towards his room when his mother's voice not only stopped him..but even made the MANIK MALHOTRA blush..

Nyeo: waise Mannu..meri taraf se haan hai..aur tere dad to pehle hee use apni favourite ANGEL banaa chuke hai..to tujhe ghar pe hamare saath kuch mehnat nahi kerni padhegi..sirf use pataana hai..n i knw..my son's charm and his heart..would help him in this.

Man (rubbing his nape): gyd nyt mom.

Nyeo: wow...my son is in loveeee... i knw..he still hasnt accepted that..mayb coz his love is still in its initial phase..but symptoms to use usi k taraf le jaa rahe hai... God...m so happpy...

Man: seriously Manik! Y the hell did u blush? N why ddnt u say anything about tht pataana thingy. I mean..kya me sach me Nandini ko pataana chahta hu? But y? Theek hai i ddnt like seeing them so close to each other..but kyu? What do i want afterall? Haan...jabse Abhi aaya hai tabse Nandini ne mujhe koi attention nahi diya..haan..isiliye mujhe acha nahi laga..n isiliye i want her to b close to me..yes..thats the reason. So Ms. Moorthy...dekhte hai..kal aap mujhse bachti hai ya nai! (Smirking evilly )

At Nandini's place:

Ab: so i was right.. u ddnt get ur hair cut. Kaise kerti..after all..ur HERO loves them.. n i too ha.

Nan: haan

Ab: barbie...wo

Nan: me kisi se chupne k liye ye nahi ker rahi.

Ab (astonished): how did u knw tht i was going to ask u this question? (Chuckling ) me to bhool gaya...u understand me much better than i do myself.

Nan: this change is not for others...its for me...taake jab bhi me apne aap ko aaine me dekhu..i realize that this Nandini is different from the old one.. this Nandini has no room for weakness..ye Nandini toot nahi sakti..bikhar nahi sakti..aur sabse zyada..ye NANDINI KISI PE BHAROSA NAHI KER SAKTI..this is like a reminder for me.. a reminder that..
LOOKS CAN BE DECEPTIVE.

Abhi looks at her with tears in his eyes. Yes she was right..this is a completely different Nandini..she wasnt that Nandini whom he had known since childhood. That Nandini is lost somewhere.

Nan: raat bohot hogai hai BB..lets sleep.

Ab: yea doll..lets sleep.. Come..

Night 2 a.m:

Girl: leave me please..

Man1: aise kaise jaane du..

Girl: how cud u do this to me?

Man2: m sorry..but i had got a good offer in return

Girl: please jaane do mujhe..please...helpp...HEROOO

Man3: leave her...

Man1: tune mujhpe haath uthaaya..

Girl: HERO..bachaao mujhe pleaseee

"Barbie doll..get up..get up plzzz..uthoo...u need to wake up..Baby plzzz uthoo...uthoooo"

Nandini wakes up with a jerk...sweating profusely n tears rolling down her cheeks..she holds her chest n rubs it..her chest feeling so tight that it suffocated her..she couldnt breathe...

Nan: i.......breathe.....i.....can't. .......

Abhi carries her n moves towards her favorite place...in the open area.. he sits with Nandini in his lap..her head on his chest..he rocks to n fro to calm her down.

Ab: sshhh bacha..me hu yaha..calm down plzz..

After a long while..Nandini's was calm..only her hiccups could be heard..

Ab: do u (clears his throat..which still sounded as if he too was crying) do u want to talk?

Nandini nods a slight no.

Nan (helpless n at the verge of crying ): I want to sleep..... (after a pause) without them.

Ab (shuts his eyes tight ): do u.....do u usually get them?

Nandini again nods her head in a No.

Nan: every night.

Thats it..finally tears find their way down from Abhi's eyes.

Nan: i havent slept since 2 years.. mujhe sona hai BB..

Abhi couldnt utter a word. He was in so much of pain seeing his Baby's condition. He was choking from within. He felt furious at himself for not being there when his Barbie doll needed him the most. After composing himself a bit..

Ab: sleep bacha... ur chota papa is here. I wont let them come again.

Nandini takes a deep breath n relieves a heavy sigh..getting closer to Abhi's chest..she finally falls asleep.

Ab (self talk): y Aiyappa...kyu meri jaan ki aisi haalat hone di aapne? Ye to acha huwa k use sulaane k baad i stayed back in her room..2 saal baad apni baby ko dekh raha tha..i ddnt want to leave..n what do i get to knw..that she gets nightmares! That too every night!! Kaise deal kiya hoga isne? N sabse important baat..ye akeli kyu hai? Itne sawaal..sabke jawaab chahta hu lekin aaj baby ko aise dekh ke mujhme bilkul b himmat nahi k me use kuch pooch saku..jo b huwa hai bohot zyada bura huwa hai..shayad Baby bol de..lekin mujhme himmat nahi sunne ki. Kaise sununga wo sab jis waje se meri phool si Barbie doll aise ban gayi hai. I m sorry Barbie doll...m so so sorry..sorry for not being there when u needed me..sorry Baby for not keeping my promise to protect u always..sorry Baby..m really sorry.

Abhi hugs her tighter..keeping her closer to him. Finally the night got over with the rays of sun spreading light all around. Nandini wakes up feeling the rays of sun on her..only to find Abhi looking at her with a smile on his face..

Ab: good morning Barbie doll..

Nan(smiling): good morning BB

Abhi frowns..

Ab: baby..thats ryt that i told u i liked ur calling me BB..but ab bas karo na..

Nan (giggling): kyu..kal to bada bol the the u Loveeeee it

Ab: haan to..ab bas na...

Nan: u ddnt sleep ryt?

Ab: kisne kaha? Kal to mujhe bohot ache se neend aayi..after all..finally m home..with my baby.

Nan (lowering her gaze): haan..n u saw me at night..after my nightmare..aur phir u couldnt sleep.

Ab: m glad i was there. Do saal se nahi tha..lekin ab..whatever it is..i will b there..always.

Nandini looks at him n smiles with tears in her eyes.

Ab: chalo bohot huwa..we need to get ready..have breakfast..leave for college..n aaj se aapki mentoring b shuru kerni hai madam..chalo chalo..

Nan: slight change..
We will get ready..leave for orphanage..have our breakfast there..n then go to college..

Ab: aahaa..chalo ok...lets get going then.

In college:

Man: Mukti..r u fine?

Muk: yeah...i m ok..n will b fine too..soon.

Man: Mukti...kal jo..

Muk: Manik..kal jo huwa let that be in yesterday..all we have to do is accept it. N sach kahu..deep down if i m hurt then m happy too..Nandini has suffered a lot in her life..n hume to andaaza b nahi hai..ab finally uski life me agar smile n happiness aarahi hai to trust me..i m really happy for her. She doesnt deserve to b sad..she deserves happiness..n agar uski happiness...Abhi hai..so be it.

Man: lekin agar Abhi nahi hai to?

Muk: matlab?

Man: mera matlab..agar sirf Abhi uski happiness nahi hai to?

Muk: Manik. .u saw them ryt..jab wo dono saath the to they were in their own world..unhe kisi aur ki zarurat hee nai thi.

Man: yea..but see to this also na k they were meeting after 2 long years..to mayb to compensate that?!!

Muk: u mean to say...

Man: all i mean is tht jab tak..sab kuch CONFIRM nahi hota..u have HOPE.

Muk: n agar confirm hogaya to? Hope toot gaya to? I cant go with this choice.

Man (remembering Nandini's words ):
Mukti..at times we r scared to see and accept a choice..fearing of losing it..but unless u dnt choose..u wont knw the outcome of your choice.

Muk(smiling): u r right. Waise..Nandini ka asar kaafi huwa hai tujhpe. I mean..tu b positive sochne laga..hope n all ha?! Waise..ye baate sirf mere liye thi ya tu khudko b ummeed de raha hai? (smirking)

Man (looking here n there): aisa...aisa kuch nai hai.. chal chalte hai. Sab canteen me wait ker rahe hai. Aaj Cabir apni Madhubala ko lene gaya tha..tabhi he told me to pick u up.

They were on their way to canteen when they spot Abhi on their way.

Man: hey Abhi!

Ab: Manik..Mukti..hii..

Man: yaha kaha jaa rahe ho?

Ab: wo ofc me kuch kaam tha to..but u guys here?

Man: yea..we were going to canteen. Chalo tum b hamare saath.

Ab: no thnx..mene Baby..i mean Nandini k saath breakfast kerliya.

Muk: Nandini k saath? Tum..uske saath the?

Ab: haan..subah hum ghar se orphanage gaye n wahi we had our breakfast together.

Man n muk: ghar??

Ab: ha..haan. i mean ab when my baby is here..i wont b living in the accommodation given to me by the college ryt? So kal hee i took my luggage to her place.

Hearing this..both Manik n Mukti's faces fell.

Muk: acha? Waise where is Nandini now?

Ab: wo library gai hai..she had some work there so...infact even i need to see her..use ye papers dene the..lekin phir peon ne bola k ofc me principal bula rahe hai so thought wahi jaau pehle.

Man: aah Abhi..ye paper tum mujhe dedo..me Nandini ko dedunga. N jab tum ofc jaa hee rahe ho to Mukti ko b company miljaaygi. Use b ofc me kaam tha. Hai na Mukti?(winking at her)

Muk:huh? Haaan..haan mujhe kaam to tha. Wud u mind me going with u Abhi?

Ab: definitely not. Come ...

Mukbhi leave for ofc n Manik goes to the library.

In library:

Nandini was looking into some books n was totally engrossed in them when someone pats her from back. She turns around to find no one there. She again turns ahead to look into the books when again someone taps her from behind. She again turns around..again to find no one there. She frowns n looks here n there..only to find few students busy in their works. She again turns around n suddenly says..

Nan: stop it Manik.

Man (self talk): ise kaise pata its me? No..i think it was just a fluke. If i stop then it wud b confirmed that its me.. (grins evilly)

Nandini again got engrossed when again someone pats her from behind. She again turns around to find no one. Huffing loudly she turns again..n then immediately says..

Nan: Mikku don't.

Manik stops on his tracks n frowns on hearing Mikku..Nandini turns around n finds him frowning.

Man: kya yaar Nandini..kitni baar bola don't call me Mikku. It gives me...eeewwww waali feeling.

Nan: mene b aapko bola tha dont do it..even u ddnt listen to me.

Man: mujhe..kya..kab bola? Arre me to abhi aaya yaha..tumhe ye papers dene..Abhi ko dene the lekin use ofc me kaam aaya so i did the hardwork of looking for u..i came all the way till here to give it to u..aur tum ho ki mujhe Mikku bolke irritate ker rahi ho. (Pouting cutely)

Nan: achaa?? To baar baar ye (patting on his shoulders like he was doing from behind) koun kar raha tha? Aapka bhoot?

Man: tumne dekha mujhe kerte huwe? Nahi na..to tum kaise keh sakti ho it was me.

Nan: coz i knw it was u.

Man: but how? U ddnt even see me.

Nan: i dont need my eyes to see u.

Man: and y so?

Nan: coz i can feel u whenever u r close to me.

Saying so..Nandini immediately shuts her eyes close in embarrassment..in the heat of the moment she spoke what she herself hadnt acknowledged it yet. Hearing her sweet sa confession makes Manik the happiest man.. he smiles widely on knowing that even Nandini can feel him like he feels her presence. Seeing her eyes closed..his smile turns into a smirk..n he starts coming closer to her..

Man: acha? To u mean to say that u can feel me when m close to u?

Nandini opens her eyes n sees him coming closer to her. She takes a step behind..

Nan: ah..wo...wo..

Man: kitne close se u can feel me?

Nandini was taking step back with every approaching step of Manik.

Man: itne close?

Getting closer..

Man: itne close?

Getting more closer..

Man: ya itne close?

Nandini stops when her back hits the rack of books behind. Manik was standing close..very close to her..

Nan: Man..Manik...

Manik wraps his arm around her waist n pulls her closer to him..such that both of their fronts collide and Nandini places her hands on his chest..

Man: ya phir itna close?

Looking into his eyes which were full of passion and ...and some feelings she couldnt understand..or mayb refused to understand..a bright red blush creeps to her cheeks..turning them into cherry red.. Not able to look into his passion filled eyes..she drops her gaze. Manik slowly bends down..n goes closer to her face..Not knowing what to do..she just closes her eyes. Manik goes closer to her ears n says huskily..such that with every word he said his lips made a contact with her earlobe..

Man: u dnt have to b embarrased Nandini..coz even i can feel ur presence when u r around. Its a mutual feeling.

Saying so..he lightly pulls her earlobe with his teeth..making Nandini's heart go mad n her breathing heavy.  The sound of the bell make them come out of their somewhat compromising yet comfortable position. Separating herself from Manik..she looks here n there to avoid awkwardness of the situation..whereas Manik was enjoying her state.

Man: chale?

Nandini just nods n both leave to go to their class. Their silence was broken by Nandini's vibrating cell. She stops n Manik stops too. She looks at the no n frowns.

Man: who is it?

Nan: unknown no.

Nandini answers the call n gets surprised on hearing the caller..

Nan: Vishal sir??

Manik gets surprised too on knowing his father called Nandini. He gestures nandini to keep the call on speaker. She complies tht.

Vi (sounding grumpy): Angel..

Nan: kya huwa Sir? Y r u sounding low?

Vi: ye ek to tum mujhe ye Sir Sir bolna band karo. N dusra..m in grumpy mood today.n i need ur help.

Nan (smiles on listening to his talks): ok s..i mean Uncle.. bataayiye to..kya huwa? Kyu mood kharaab hai n kya help chahiye?

Vi: Nyeonika..

Manik n Nandini frown..

Nan: Aunty? What about her?

Vi: arre wo mujhse naraaz hoke bethi hai..baat b nahi ker rahi..call b nahi uthaa rahi.

Manik sighs defeatedly as if "inka kuch nai hosakta".

Nan: but wo gussa kyu hai?

Vi: wo....kyunki mene subah ki dawai miss ki..aur phir butter lagaa ke aaloo parathe khaay..isliye.

Nandini giggles whereas Manik was about to shout when Nandini eyes him to keep quite.

Nan: hmmmm..ye to bohot badi gadbad hogai. Aunty to saste me patne nai waali.

Vi: pata hai..isliye to tumhe call kiya Angel..ab bataao..kya karu?

Nan: hmmm..ek raasta hai. But aapko wahi kerna hoga jo me kahungi. Deal?

Vi (happily): arre pakka deal. Bataao jaldi.

Nan: okay to...aapko aunty ko....kidnap kerna hoga.

Manik looks at her in shock n was about to yell when Nandini palms his mouth n shows him eyes..

Vi: what?!! Me apni hee biwi ko kidnap karu? Aise to wo aur gussa hojaaygi Angel.

Nan(eyeing Manik ): pehle meri poori baat to suniye. (Turning her gaze) aap aunty ko kidnap kerke...ek lunch date pe lejaayiye. Aur waha aap.....
(N tells him her plan)

Vi (shouting happily): arre wah..ye to awesome idea hai..ab dekhta hu Nyeonika kaise nahi maanti. Thank u Angel..i knew it..tum hee meri madad ker sakti ho. Agar abhi me apne us nikamme bete ko phone kerta..wo to mujhe hee do baate sunaa deta..maa ka ladla jo hai..huh.

Nandini giggles on hearing this n looks at Manik..who was glaring at the phone..as if his father wud see his glare.

Vi: chalo angel..tum class jaao..aur me tumhari trustee ko kidnap kerne k plans banaata hu.. Hu ha ha.

Nandini laughs n cuts the call. She looks at Manik who was already looking at her. She controls her laughter n says..

Nan: so..Mikku is maa ka ladla haan?

N again giggles..but something made her giggles stop abruptly n move her palm from Manik's face. She looks at Manik wide eyed..as if in shock..coz Manik had pecked her palm which was closing his mouth.

Man(innocently): kya kerta..tum tumhara haath hataa hee nahi rahi thi
(Winking at her..he leaves for the class..with Nandini following him after composing herself).