After coming out from the washroom..Manik checked the room n the passage..on finding it clear..he took his clothes n went to another guest room to get a shower.

Manik's pov:

I cant believe it was me..being so cozy with Nandini. Me jo ladkiyo se dosti to karta hu but kabhi unke kareeb nahi gaya..aise to bilkul b nahi. Haan mene kisi ko bola nahi but i always had an image of my ANGEL in my mind..aur aaj...Nandini ko aise dekh k..i just lost my control..it wasn't me who was talking..it was my THOUGHTS..my FEELINGS..which took the form of words today. (Recalling his encounter with Nandini..Nandini's stammering..his passion..his kiss..his RIGHT  on Nandini). I dont knw why i couldnt take it when Abhi kissed her..yes i had seen them before being close to each other..but ..i..i just couldnt take it anymore. I wanted to erase every touch of Abhi..pata hee nahi chala kab mene uski trace ko mitaa ne k liye khud waha apna touch chod diya. And her that look..if i would say that she was looking sizzling hot..that wud b an understatement. But even in that hot look..her cuteness and innocence was overpowering all other looks. Tab i felt that ONLY and ONLY I have the right to see her like this.. i knw..mene jab use Navya k b saamne jaane se manaa kiya to she myt have felt offended. Us waqt kuch nahi kaha but she wud definitely think tht m trying to dominate her.. but thts not the case. Nandini ko waise dekh k.. immediately i felt tht her that look shud b reserved only for me. Agar koi aur b use waise dekhe to mujhe bilkul pasand nai. (Running his hands in his hair) ufff...ye kya horaha hai mujhe? Y do i always lose my control in front of her? N ajeeb ye hai tht even after losing control..i feel....strangely Happy.. ek ajeeb sa sukoon milta hai dil ko. I dont regret anything that happened between us.. but kya wo b aisa sochti hai? Itne saare confusions hai...but ek baat ka m sure..i meant every word what i told her there..She...is MY ANGEL..

Nandini's pov

Angel?! Did Manik really call me Angel? His Angel?? (Smiling shyly) mujhe itna acha kyu laga ye sunke? Isse pehle b to bohot logo ne mujhe Angel bola..uncle b to mujhe isi naam se bulaate hai..Alya ne b bola..Cabir bhai ne b bulaaya..tab to kuch nahi huwa. Lekin aaj jab Manik ne kaha..to aisa kyu laga jaise mere andar kahi titliya udne lagi...Aiyappa..ye kya horaha hai? I m to always clear about everything..then y m i so confused now? Mene kabhi kisi ko apne kareeb nai aane diya..then y Manik? Aur jab usne mujhe Navya k saamne jaane se manaa kiya..tab y did i like his possessiveness? Y did he say that Nobody else is allowed to see me like this? Nobody else matlab.. (thinking for few moments and then realizing ).. matlab...other than Manik, nobody else is allowed to see me like this!! (Shyingly) Mujhe to gussa hona chahiye na unpe..coz indirectly wo mujhpe dominate ker rahe the..but mujhe ye itna acha kyu laga? Unka aisa right dikhaana..kyu acha laga? Whats wrong with me? Y m i blushing like this? Nandu k Aiyappa..plz sambhaalo mujhko.

Everyone had gathered at the dining table..Nyeonika, Vishal and all youngsters were there except for Nandini.

Vi: Angel kaha hai?

Nav: wo uncle..uske kapde geele hogaye the..to humne use apna ek dress de diya..wo change kerke aati hee hogi.

Muk: tumhara dress kyu? Usne apne kapde nai laaye? Aaj to yaha night stay ka plan hai na.

Ab: actually...wo darasal..uncle aunty..m really sorry but me n Nandini aaj nahi ruk sakte.

This news drops everyone's face down...esp Manik and Mukti. But before anyone could protest..they hear Nyeonika's voice..

Nyeo: wowww....

Looking at Nyeonika..everyone find her looking at one direction with wide eyes and her mouth open.. they frown in confusion n follow her gaze..only to find Nandini descending down the stairs wearing a simple off white Anarkali suit with her long hair gathered on one shoulder..still wet...looking like a complete fairy. Her look leaves everyone baffled there..except for Abhi. Abhi smiles n gets up from his place..goes towards Nandini n holds her hands when she was on the last step.

Ab: looking pretty Barbie..

Nandini just smiles at him.

Vishal n Nyeonika too get up from their places n go towards Nandini..as if they were being pulled unknowingly towards her. Vishal places a hand on her head n says..

Vi: truly an Angel.. Uparwala tumhe har buri nazar se bachaa k rakhe. Tum kal b meri favorite Angel thi..aur aaj b ho.. (raising his volume so tht fab5 listen to him) i hope ab tumhara asli roop dekh k baaki logo ko b ye realize hojaay k tum sach me Angel ho.

Nyeonika comes closer n cups Nandini..

Nyeo: aisa nahi hai k i ddnt believe Vishal whenever he called u Angel..but kehte hai na..jab aap khud apne aankho se dekho to vishwas aur b zyada mazboot hojaata hai.. aur mera b vishwas aaj mazboot hogaya. U r a Fairy...aisa laga jaise tum seedhe jannat se neeche utar rahi ho..bilkul ek pyari pari jaisi.

Her words brought tears in Nandini's eyes. She was feeling blessed to meet such people who value her so much.
But her words even brought some past memories...those memories which hurt her..which dont leave her..which keep haunting her.

Nan (lost in her past): Nai aunty...me...pari nai hu. Me sirf ek aam insan hu.. nai hu me Pari.

Abhi understood that Nandini is not in her right frame of mind.

Ab: aah..lunch kare? Wo actually mujhe bhook lagi hai.

Everyone leave again towards the dining table. Abhi n Nandini were behind everyone. Abhi wraps his arm around Nandini n whispers..

Ab: u okay baby?

Nandini just nods in a yes.

Abhi kisses her temple. This was seen by Manik who again fumes in jealousy. Abhi brings Nandini to the table n pulls a chair for her..making her sit. Nandini had empty seat on her right side. Before Abhi occupies the seat next to her..Manik immediately sits on the chair..avoiding all fab4 stares tht were on him..acting all ignorant of everything. Abhi too looked at him confusingly.. but doesnt mind n takes the next chair that was on Nandini's left side...which was empty too..that Manik had apparently failed to observe. Seeing Manik sitting next to Nandini..Manik tightens his grip on the fork that he was holding. Servants serve lunch to everyone n everyone was having their lunch with Cabir passing his pj's every now n then.. after a while..Abhi whispers to Manik in front of Nandini..

Ab: Manik..me to tumse puchna hee bhul gaya.

Man (with a stern look): Kya?

Ab: yehi...k tumhari bike ride kaisi thi?

Manik spits out the water that he was drinking..making Nandini giggle but hides it soon when Manik looks at her. He looks at Abhi only to find him smirking at him. Composing himself..

Man (not meeting his eyes): haan..theek thi.

Ab: oh...matlab tumhe saamne waale ki waist ko pakadne ki zarurat nai padhi na?

A giggle escapes from Nandini's mouth which she immediately covers with fake cough..whereas Manik stops the fork midway that he was about to take. He looks at Nandini who was looking straight n was trying her best to control her laugh.

Man(looking at his plate): no..not...not at all.

Cab: ye kya khusar pusar chal raha hai tum teeno k beech?

Ab: arre wo me Manik se pooch raha tha k....

Man (interrupting him): aaj kya kya karenge..(looking at Abhi) hai na Abhi. (Pleading him with his eyes)

Abhi smirks n says.: haan..wo actually...mere aur Nandini k paas zyada time nahi hai na..hum shaam tak hee hai yaha..so i was just asking him k kya plans hai.

Listening to this..Manik's face fell.

Nyeo: what do u mean k time nahi hai? Humne kal decide kiya tha na k today u all kids wud stay back for night? To phir?

Ab: actually aunty..bohot zaruri kaam hai so..

Al: so? Sorry Abhi...but i really really need Nandu..mujhe tayyar kerne me n secondly...mere morals badhaane k liye. I really need her..call me selfish..but for Nandu..i m.

Ab: haan to..after lunch to tum tayyar hone hee jaa rahi ho. N hum abhi nahi nikal rahe hai..shaam ko jaa rahe hai. So u can chill.

Nav: aur hum? Hum kaise rukenge agar Nandu hee nahi hogi? Wo to humari sabse pehli dost hai. Uska aur humara rishta bohot gehra hai. Hum to wahi rahenge jaha Nandu hogi. Hume Nandu ki zarurat hai.

Ab: Navya..its just about a night..tum jaise hostel me rehti ho..waise aaj ek raat yaha ruklena.

Cab: aur mera kya bhai? Jabse hum bhai behen bane hai...tabse to baat b nai ki hai. Kitna kuch soch k aaya tha k aaj raat apni behen se ye kahunga...wo sununga..lekin tum to villain bane bethe ho.

Ab: seriously Cabir? Abhi b drama kerte ho..tum log roz to milte ho na..to baat to kabhi b ker sahte hai.

Muk: lekin i really want u to....ahh..mera matlab hai k..we really want u both to stay back.

Ab: thats really nice of u..but seriously agar ruk sakte to definitely rukte.

Man (lil rudely): to phir problem kya hai?

Ab: kaha na Manik..zaruri kaam hai isiliye.

Nandini was all the time quitely observing everything..how everyone were giving their own set of reasons to try to stop her back..where once her life had no people in it except her orphanage one... n now her life has so many people who again n again show her her importance in their lives.

Nyeo: bas bacho..aur behes nahi.

Man (self talk): pata nai is Abhi ki problem kya hai..sab itna keh rahe hai phir b maan nai raha. Aur ye dad bhi aaj chup kyu hai..waise to roz angel angel kerte thakte nai hai...aur aaj jab kerna chahiye tab apne khaane me masroof hai.

Vi: sahi kaha Nyeonika ne..aur behes nai. Aur Abhi..aaj tum log yaha ruk rahe ho..thats final.

Man (self talk n smilingly): arre wah..chalo shukur hai..finally dad ne moo khola to sahi.

Ab: actually uncle wo..

Vi: beta..me jaanta hu kaam important hota hai..me b to karta hu..lekin aaj sunday hai..sunday means funday...aur fun..family k bina nahi hota. Aur ab meri family meri Angel k bina poori nahi hoti. Aur tum uski family ho. So u both have to stay back..ise meri wish samaj lo..please.

Ab: uncle. ...

Abhi stops in between when he feels Nandini's hand on his hand. He looks in her eyes n understands what she was willing to say.

Ab: uncle...aapko please bolne ki zarurat nahi hai. Aap bas hukum kijiye..after all..ab aap b meri Barbie ki family ho..to matlab my family too. Hum aaj yahi rukenge.

Fab4 n Navya hoot aloud..whereas Manik was grinning widely.

Al: chalo chalo..lunch hogaya..ab i need to get ready..n girls..i need u in room..so plz hurry up.

Cab: Dhruv baba..aapki princess to tayyar hone chali gayi..aapko uska prince nahi banna kya?

Dhr: mujhe time nahi lagega tayyar hone me. So i guess we can spend some boys' time together. What say?

Cab: ye kahi na pate waali baat..kyu abhi?manik?

Ab+Man: i dont mind.

Abhi n Manik look at each other n pass a small smile. Cabir sees them n decides to tease them..he hadnt missed the change of Manik's behaviour towards Abhi since he came to India..or in Nandini's life to b precise. He tried knowing about Abhinan's relation thru his teasing.

Cab: waah..kya baat hai. Besides tum dono ki choices..tum dono ki wordings aur timings b kaafi milti jhulti hai..

Ab: matlab?

Cab: arre..mera matlab tum dono me kaafi similarities hai..jaise ki..abhi tum dono ne saath me same same bola.. aur phir tum dono ne NANDINI k saath bike ride ki..NANDINI tum dono ki khaas friend hai...aur...aur to waqt k saath saath pata chalega.

Ab (smiles): mayb..but Cabir..ek baat tumne galat kahi. Nandini meri friend nahi hai.

Cabir n Manik listen with all their attention..

Man(all eager n restless): to phir kya hai?

Ab: JAAN hai wo meri.. meri jeene ki wajah hai wo. Aaj me jo kuch b hu..its all coz of her.. I OWE MY LIFE TO HER.

Cab (whispering to Manik): bhai..ye kya hai? Mujhe to laga k hoga ye behna ka koi khaas dost..par ye to uska majnoo lag raha hai. Kuch kar Manik.

Manik immediately gets up in full anger.

Ab: kya huwa? Y dd u get up?

Man: suffocation horahi hai..i need some fresh air.

Saying so..he left from there.

Ab: ise kya huwa?

Cab: hojaata hai..jab b Nan...i mean..jab b lunch heavy kerta hai to he feels that way. Chod na..chal..hum bhai log b andar chalte hai. Lets play Playstation.

Evening time:

Girls get Aliya ready for her big day n were descending together whereas Dhruv was all ready in his Prince charming suit..waiting for his princess..n his wait was all worth it when he saw Aliya really looking nothing less than a princess. His jaw dropped on seeing her standing in front of him in a lovely frock..which reached till her knees..looking a cute n hot princess.

Cab: moo to band kerle Dhruv..teri hee hai..but khaa mat jaaiyo use.

His comment makes Aliya blush, Dhruv embarass and others simply laugh out their lungs. Dhruv approaches Aliya n like a true prince..offers her his arm.

Dhr: u r looking..out of the world Aliya.

Aliya shies down while saying thank you.

Man: aliya..u r really looking beautiful

Cab: actually aaj for a change..me b yeh keh sakta hu k u r not looking a make up kit..but a real princess.

Ab: yes Aliya..u do look beautiful

Al: thank u so much. But is thanks ki haqdaar me nahi..Nandini hai. She got me ready..mere dress se le kar..my make up n my hairstyle..sab kuch Nandu ne kiya. Not to forget..my 2 other supporters..Mukti n Navya. Thank u girls..thank u so much.

Nav: Aliya..hum sab dost hai na. Tum ne wo dialog nhi suna..dosti me no thank u aur no sorry.

Muk: exactly. Aur humne kuch zyada kiya b nahi. But i was really surprised to see Nandini doing it all.

Al: actually me too..i mean she was working on me so professionally k for a moment i really thought tht i have booked a beautician for me.

Ab: arre aliya...tumne abhi tak meri Barbie ko jaana kaha hai.. (going close to her n wrapping his arm around her) she is an all rounder. Har cheez me maahir..there is nothing that my baby cant do with perfection.

Before his actions and words bring a hurricane in Manik's mood n his actions..Cabir decides to step in.

Cab: dhruv aliya..tum dono ko late horaha hai. Chalo niklo ab.

Dhruliya: bye guys.

Everyone: bye..n all the best.

Muk: ye log to chale gaye. Ab hum log kya kare?

Nav: haan...shaam b ho chuki hai. Aur aliya bataa rahi thi k wo dair raat ko aayegi.

Cab: haan to..lets play something.. what say?

Nav: haan...ye sahi rahega..antakshari khelte hai..bada mazaa aayega.

Cab: Madhubala ji...hum KG k bache nahi hai jo aap hume itne boring games khelne ko bol rahi hai. We all r adults..lets play some adult game.

Nav: matlab?

Muk: how about Truth n Dare?

Man&Cab: i m in.

Both look at each other. Cabir raises his eyebrow n gives him an i-know-why-u-want-to-play-this look. Manik returns his look with as-if-u-dont-want-to look. Nandini and Abhi look at each other n were contemplating on how to react to this. Certainly they cant let the truth out..not now atleast..and choosing dare..that too from fab 5 when they both know them quite well wasnt a good idea either.

Nav: haan..humne is game k baare bohot suna lekin kabhi khela nai. Hum b khelenge (all excited).

She looks at Nandini only to find her lost in her thoughts.

Nav (self talk):arre..Nandu ye game kaise khelegi. Agar usne truth chuna aur kisi ne usse kuch aisa pooch liya jo wo bataana nahi chahti to.... hmmm..koi aur usse pooche is se pehle hum usse pooch lenge.

She squeezes Nandini's hand to gain her attention. Nandini looks at her..

Nav: fikar mat karo Nandu..hum hai na. Tum befikar hoke ye game khel sakti ho.

Nandini smiles at her concern n turns to Abhi n just blinks her eyes.

Ab: ok if everyone is in then i guess..we r in too.

Man: y r u deciding for Nandini? I think she can do tht well for her own..nai?

Nan: its ok Manik..BB decide kare ya me..its the same thing. My decision wont b different from his.

Cab (whispering to Manik): yaar..ye kuch zyada nai horaha..pehle dono chup the..phir Nandu ne use ishaara kiya..tab usne haan bola..wo b dono k liye. Aur lunch table per b..humne kitna bola..lekin abhi ne na bola..aur Nandu ne sirf ek baar haath kya rakh diya..Abhi jhat se maan gaya rukne ko. Ye kya dono saath me function kerte hai kya?

Man (angry): shut up Cabir...werna me tera ye not so beautiful chehra bigaad dunga.

Cab: arre mene kya kiya..kisi aur ka gussa mujhpe kyu?

Manik just shakes his head n goes from there. Everyone sit around the table forming a circle.. thier sitting arrangement was like..

Nandini-Abhi-Mukti-Navya-Manik-Cabir-Nandini.

Navya was right opposite Nandini..which she had deliberately done it. Manik rotates the bottle n it first stops on Navya.

Cab: Madhubala jiiii..so bataayiye..truth ya dare?

Nav: Cabir jiiii.. (imitating him by stretching jii) Nandu ko humse poochna hai..to aap plz shaant rahenge. Nandu..hum truth chunte hai.

Nan: okay...so... (eyeing Cabir) tumhe kaisa ladka pasand hai?

Muk: huh? Ye kaisa sawal hai Nandu? Itna pheeka sa?

Nan: wo..aur kuch sooja hee nai.

Nav: hume...emmm..hume ek ameer...handsome....gora...smart..maa baap ka eklauta beta...duniya ghoom ne waala...

(While saying all this..Cabir was just smiling widely knowing that he fits so perfectly in Navya's decription..but all his hopes and pride goes in gutter when he hears Navya's next sentence)

Nahi b ho to chalega. Hume ek aisa ladka chahiye jo humse pyaar kare..humara har stithi me saath de..hume samjhe..aur sabse zyada zaruri baat..hume hasaa sake..taake jab b udaas ho..to wo apne jokes se hume hasaa sake.

Nandini bends down to Cabir n whispers: u r lucky Bhai..aap to dono description me fit beth te ho..jo use chahiye aur jo use nahi chahiye..dono me.

Cabir jerks her head at her n finds her smirking.

Cab: behna...game pe focus karo.

Muk: matlab tumhe Cabir jaisa joker chahiye. Seedhe seedhe bolti na Navya..itna guma phira k kyu?

This causes Navya to blush profusely whereas Cabir smirks on seeing Navya blushing.

Nav: humne...humne aisa kab bola.

Nan: acha chalo...next..

The bottle now stops on Mukti..n the asking person was Cabir.

Cab: so bata lady bheem..kya chuna..

Muk: of course dare.

Cab (rubbing his palms): ok so...tera dare hai..
To make a guy blush.

Muk: what??? Ye kaisa dare hai..tu aur Manik..wo b blush..apne aapko itna normal kabse samajhne lag gaya?

Cab: oohh..matlab tu Abhi ko mard nahi samajhti..hawwww...very bad.

Muk: shutup Cabir. Of course abhi is a man.. (biting her tongue) i ... i mean...tu kuch dhang ka dare de..werna mera punch khaayega.

Cab: nop..dare to yahi hai. Chal me aur Manik to blush nai kerte..to tu Abhi ko hee blush karaa de.

Abhi got nervous on this. What he ddnt notice was tht Mukti too was nervous.. but being in the repo that she had formed..she had to fulfill the dare. She shifts closer to Abhi n looks deep into his eyes.. both start losing into each other..

Muk (seductively): did someone tell u that u have deep beautiful eyes...eyes to die for? Coz m sure no one has..tumhare chehre se nigaah hatte tabhi to koi tumhari aankho ki gehraai ko dekh paayga.

Mukti's this avatar had caused everyone to sit glued on their places with wide eyes and open jaws. Seeing them so lost...Cabir clears his throat..

Cab: Mukti...bas kar..dare hogaya.

Mukbhi come out of their stance n look here n there. Mukti slightly shifts back to her place. All were sitting in an awkward silence..which was soon filled with Nandini's laughs. Nandini was laughing uncontrollably..holding her stomach..n leaning onto Abhi. Seeing her carefree laugh for the second time..Manik was lost in her world..but what irked him was Nandini leaning on Abhi.

Nan: o my God.. i really...really need to register this day in world's guiness record...look at u BB..u just blushed.

Ab: shut up Barbie..aisa kuch nahi hai. Lets continue.

This time the bottle stops on Nandini.

Nav: to nandu...kya chunogi?

Nan: truth.

Nav: hmmmm... (thinking for a while) okkk... hum poochte hai. Ye jo tum Abhi ko BB kerke bulaati ho...iska matlab kya hai?

The question shocks Abhi n Nandini both. Abhi looks at Nandini..swallows his saliva nervously..gesturing her a no. Everyone was noticing them n were on their toes to know the answer. Mayb they wud know their relation thru this disclosure. Navya got tensed seeing them like this..she thought mayb she asked a wrong question..but everyone's thoughts were put to a halt by Nandini's loud laughter..she was laughing her guts out..she laughed so much tht tears were literally flowing from her eyes. Holding her breath. .

Nan: Aiyappa...aah mera pait...i cant laugh anymore..

N again breaks into bolts of laughter.

Ab: Barbie..plzzz...thats a secret..u cant let it out..nop..nada..nakko..no ways..plzzzzzzz

Man: y not..this is a game Abhi..n we all knw the rules..Nandini cant break the rule.

Cab: yes.Nandu..behna..bataao na..what does BB stand for?
Shayad BB matlab Bade Bhaiyya..ya phir modern style..Big Brother!
(Whispering the last line..which doesnt go unheard by Manik..making him a bit happy n relieved)

Man (more determined): Nandini..

Nandini stops laughing hearing Manik's determined tone. She looks at Abhi... Abhi palms his face..as if trying to hide somehwere

Nan: sorry BB. Cant hide anymore.

BB matlab...

Man: matlab?

Nan: matlab..

Cab: matlab?

Nan: BB matlab..

Muk: matlab?

Nan: matlab...

Nav: matlab?

Ab (irritated ): guys tum ye matlab matlab game band karoge tabhi to wo tumhe bataaygi. Barbie...jaldi bataa k just finish it off na.

He again palms his face..making Nandini giggle.

Nan: BB matlab......

BIG BUM

Nandini presses her lips to control her giggles..whereas everyone else were sitting stunned..with their mouths hanging open. Soon enough..Cabir's ear drum tearing laughter roars broke the silence. He was rolling on the floor holding his stomach. Nandini too couldn't control herself and she too joined him in laughter session...followed by Manik..who was laughing his guts out..and Navya. Mukti was somehow trying to control but was failing miserably.

Nav (controlling her laughs): but tum inhe aise ajeeb naam se kyu bulaati ho?

Nan: wo...wo jab hum chote the na..tab..iske bums na..bohot bade the..(laughing in between) n when he used to walk na...to...they used to bounce (again breaking into laughter bouts)

Everyone became hysteric on hearing Nandini's description..this time..even Abhi couldnt control. Seeing his barbie doll laughing so freely..he ddnt mind becoming the bait... he too joined her in her laughing session. After a long time when everyone got tired of laughing. ..

Cab: seriously man..Abhi??? Tum itneeee golu the kya bachpan me?

Ab: nai Cabir..itna b nai tha. Ye to barbie ki aadat hai ajeeb o gareeb naam dene ki.

Man: yea right..i agree..bohot ajeeb o gareeb weird se naam deti hai ye.(recalling how Nandini gave him a nickname of Mikku)

Muk: tujhe kaise pata?

Man: wo...wo ye Abhi ko bulaati hai na..bas usi se.

Cab: waise Big Bum..i mean BB..game continue kare??

Nan: Cabir bhai...inko BB bulaane ka haq sirf mera hai..copyright u see.. (looking at Abhi ) me chaahe kitna hee mazak kyu na udaa lu inka..lekin mere alawa aur koi inka mazaak udaay..i cant take it. Only i can do that.

Abhi smiles genuinely at her and kisses her forehead tenderly.

Ab: ofcourse baby..only u can.

Thats it..all the laughter was now in some bin..and Manik's happy mood was now replaced by his anger and jealousy.

Cab (to Manik ): yaar..mujhe laga tha k Navya k is sawal se atleast hume pata to chalega k inki equation kya hai..lekin they seem to get more complicated. Itna to saaf hai k bachpan se jaante hai ek dusre ko..aur shayad bohot kareeb se..tabhi to Nandini use big bum kehke bulaati hai.

Man (angrily): tu chup karega?

Nav: chalo..game continue kerte hai.

This time Manik spins the bottle..while keeping his eyes fixed on Abhi..he was removing all his frustration on the bottle..spinning it hardly..with the intention to make it stop at Abhi..well..Mr. Manik Malhotra is quite good in his calculations. Finally..the bottle did stop at Abhi.

Man (self talk): finally tum mere control me aaye Abhi. Bas ab..bohot huwa. Truth chuna to me aaj jaan k hee rahunga k tumhara aur Nandini ka rishta kya hai..aur agar dare liya..to tumhe Nandini se dooor rehne ko kahunga. Atleast ek din to bina tumhe uske saath chipke dekhne ko milega.

Ab: okay....truth..i choose truth.

Man (without hesitation ): what is Nandini to u?

Abhi n Nandini frown in confusion.

Man(without giving a chance to him): kya rishta hai tumhara aur Nandini ka? Kya lagti hai wo tumhari?

He was about to continue to shoot his questions when Cabir secretly places a hand on him..gesturing him to stop.
Abhi smiles at him..

Ab: tumne mujhse sabse aasan..phir b sabse mushkil sawal pucha Manik. Aasan isliye kyunki Nandini mera favorite topic hai..jispe bina thake me baat kersakta hu...lekin sabse mushkil kyunki mere paas aise koi shabd nahi jo mere feelings ko describe ker sake.

Tum Angels me believe kerte ho? Do u believe in magic?

Manik nods his head in confusion.

Ab: me nahi kerta tha..unless..

(Turning towards Nandini..who was already looking at him with a smile)

Unless..i met one..who simply did magic in my life..aur meri dull life ko bilkul bright kerdiya. NANDINI....ek aisi Angel...jisne meri zindagi me kadam rakh ke..meri poori zindagi ko badal diya. Ek aisi Angel...jisne mujhe zindagi ka asli matlab samjhaya..mujhe jeena sikhaaya. Wo..jiski hasi ko dekh k me khud ko hasne se rok nahi paata..wo..jiske aasu mujhe b rulaa dete hai. Wo..jisne kabhi mujhe khudse alag nahi samjha..jisne meri zindagi me har rishte ki kami ko poora kiya. Hai to mujhse choti..lekin waqt aane par...mujhe sahara diya. Jab raat ko dar jaata..ya phir kabhi beemar padhta..to Maa ban ke mujhe apne godh me sulaati..mere baal sawaarti..lori gaati.. kabhi agar kadam larkhadate..to ek baap banke mujhe hosla deti...ek dost banke mere har gale shikwe..har baat ko sunti.. me ye nahi kahunga k Nandini meri Behen hai..kyunki mene kabhi use apni behen maana hee nahi. (Smiling with tears in his eyes..all the time looking at Nandini ) Nandini mere liye..meri jaan hai..meri zarurat hai..meri zindagi hai..meri khushi hai..meri BABY hai..chotu si..cute si..my FIRST BABY..MY FIRST CHILD... i knw strange sound kerta hoga..lekin sach yehi hai k Nandini mere liye mera pehla bacha hai..aur..humesha rahegi.. bohot pyaar aur jaan lagaa ker mene ise paala hai..isiliye nahi kyunki iske mujhpe kaii ehsaan hai...wo ehsaan to me kabhi nahi chuka sakta (chuckling) lekin isliye..kyunki usne mujhe wo har wajah di..wo har khushi di jo usse milne se pehle mujhe pata b nahi tha k is duniya me hoti b hai..

Bachpan me kahani suni thi..jisme raja ki jaan uske tote me hoti hai...lekin meri jaan..meri jaan meri Nandini me hai. Do saal isse door rehke ehsaas huwa..k iske bina meri saanse to chal sakti hai...lekin me jee nahi sakta. Nandini meri zarurat hai.. usne sirf mujhe ek kaamiyab insan nahi banaaya...balke ek papa hone ka eksaas bhi diya..ek PROUD..CHOTA PAPA.

(Cupping Nandini's face n wiping her tears)

Me nahi jaanta me kya naam du is rishte ko..me sirf itna jaanta hu..k Nandini meri duniya hai...aur me..apni is duniya me bohot khush hu. Jab tak Nandini mere saath hai..mujhe aur kisi ki zarurat nahi hai.. aur mere jeene ki sirf ek waja hai..Nandini ko har dard..har dukh se door rakhna..use duniya ki saari khushiya dena...kyunki wo ye sab deserve kerti hai.

Thats it...Nandini could no longer hold herself..she threw her arms around Abhi n clinched to him..crying her heart out. How much she had missed him..how much she wanted him to b with her in her most dreadful 2 years..how much she wished him to b with her to support her..to solve all her problems..to help her face them..to guide her...or mayb at first place..to prevent everything that happened in his absence.

Ab (silently shedding tears): bacha...m sorry..sorry for not being there with u. But now u have me..ur Chota papa is here bacha...forever.

Everyone sitting there were crying...shedding tears on seeing such a pure bond in front of their eyes..in this era..where one brother is behind the neck of the other...stands Abhi and Nandini's pious bond...yes..Abhi was ryt..it does seem to b strange...coz the love and the pure bond that they share cant be understood by all..as its Abhi and Nandini who have loved it..have nurtured it with all their dedication..honesty and love.

Ab: baby...bas na..u knw mujhe meri jaan k aankho me aansu nai pasand.

Nan (crying): i missed u chota papa.

Ab (pulling her closer): i missed u too bacha. But ab bas...rona band. Plz...mere liye. Acha theek hai...how about this...u stop crying n i would make ur favourite hot chocolate for u?

Nandini still kept sobbing

Ab: no? Ok...what about having chinese food in the best chinese restaurant...??n giving u permission to eat noodles with ur hands??

Everyone were adoring such a beautiful bond in front of them with smiles on their faces n tears in their eyes..

Ab: no? Hmmm..ok..what about teddy bear?

Nandini stopped crying.

Ab (smiling): hmmm..so its a teddy bear then.

Nandini raises her head while still being in his arms..

Nan: bada wala?

Ab: sabseeee bada wala..itna bada jise uthaane k liye hum dono ki zarurat padh jaay.

Nan: pink waala?

Ab: emmmm...no..red wala..bilkul tumhari is cute red nosy ki tarah..

Nandini moves from his hold n pouts..

Nan: mera mazaak udaa rahe ho?

Ab: nahi bacha..acha theek hai..pink wala..just like u want..ok?

Nandini smiles n says ok.

Everyone were smiling n crying at the same time..lots of things were going on in their minds..that couldnt be put in the right frame of words. Abhi notices them n says..

Ab: sorry guys..thoda zyada hogaya na?

Muk: nahi..balke jo kuch b tumne kaha..it was so pure that we couldnt help but adore u both.

Cab: tumne sahi kaha Abhi..Nandini ek Angel hee hai..jo jiske b life me jaati hai..use bright kerdeti hai.

Nav: haan...jaise hamari life b ki.

Nan: aisa kuch nahi hai. Ab game me aage bade?

Vi: kya horaha hai bacha party?

Man: kuch nahi dad..bas aise hee games khel rahe the.

Nyeo: chalo..games baad me continue kerna..abhi dinner kerlete hai.

Everyone head towards the dining table to have their dinner..which goes smoothly with Cabir taunting Vishal for having a healthy salad in his dinner. Post dinner..Vishal n Nyeonika decided to give the younger clan their space to enjoy their time n left them..the younger clan decided to watch a movie and then go to sleep.
Movie watching went uneventful and then everyone were heading to their rooms to call it a night. Navya and Nandini were given same room..Abhi a single one..Mukti and Aliya..who was waiting for her..in 1 room..Cabir and Dhurv in 1 room n Manik in his room. Abhi had instructed Nandini to come to his room once Navya is asleep. She assured him she will take care of everything and will definitely come to him if something bothers her.

Midnight

Navya and nandini..after changing their clothes were chatting n catching up with each other..Aliya had an extra pair of night suit so she lended that to Nandini..Nandini had again tied up her hair to give it a boy cut look..after chatting for a long time Navya decides to sleep. Nandini being a late night sleeper..couldnt get sleep. She was feeling thirsty so she decided to go and fetch herself a glass of water. She was going to the kitchen when she got alerted by some sounds from there..thinking it to b a burglar, she sneakingly went inside..only to find Vishal standing there in front of fridge..opening the lids of containers to look for something.

Nandjni cringes her eyebrows looking at him. She leans at the door and crosses her arms near her chest n clears her throat..scaring Vishal. He slowly turns around only to find Nandini raising her eyebrow at him asking what is he doing here.

Vi(sighing in relief ): huufff..Angel..tum ho. Me to dar gaya tha. Mujhe laga Nyeo aagai..phirse apne fitness k lecture sunaane.

Nan: hooo..uncle..u cant say like that. Wo to aapki care kerti hai isiliye ye sab kerti hai.

Vi: haan haan..bada care kerti hai..tabhi mujhe khaane me sookhe huwe paid pode khilaate hai.

Nandini chuckles: that's salad.

Vi: haan haan wai. Naam badalne se paid pode chicken nai ban jaata hai. Arre..hatta katta punjabi hu..desi ghee me bane huwe khaana khaane ka aadi hu..aur kya khilaa rahe hai mujhe..ye..salad. to bichare bande ko bhook to lagegi na. Lekin yaha to kuch b nahi hai. (Pouting sadly)

Nan: me kuch banaa du uncle?

Vi: kya banaaogi beta? Nyeonika ki aadat hai everyday ka fresh vegetables and ghar ka samaan laane ka.

Nan: emmm..maggie?

Vi: Maggie.? Arre wah..ye mujhe kyu nai sooja..dekha angel..bhook k maare mera to dimag b kaam nahi ker raha. Chal chal..fataafat maggie banaa de..saath khaayenge. Aur isse pehle tu manaa kare..me bataa deta hu..tu nahi khaayegi to me bhi nahi khaaunga.

Nan: relax uncle...me maggie ko kabhi na nahi bolti hu.. mera maggie khaane ka style alag hai (winking at him)

Nandini n Vishal start making maggie with thier talks.

Vi: acha Angel..mene tumhe kitna cute naam diya hai..ANGEL..lekin tumne to mujhe wahi gheesa pita purana naam..UNCLE diya..ye thodi na fair hai?

Nandini giggles: acha? To kya fair hai?

Vi: fair ye hai k tum b mujhe koi acha sa name do.. jaldi.

Nan: emmm..ok..soch liya

Vi: hain? Itne jaldi? Chal koi na..bata de kya socha?

Nan(excited): TEDDY BEAR

Vi (taken aback): ted...teddy bear? Ye kya? Ye naam thodi hai? Aur me tujhe kaha se teddy bear lagta hu? Itna mota hu kya me?

Nan(genuinely): nahi..aap shakal aur shape me teddy bear jaise nahi ho..lekin..jaise teddy bear ko hug kerke jo chehre pe smile aati hai na..waisi hee smile mujhe aapko hug kerke aati hai. Jo softness teddy bear se feel hota hai..wahi aapse b feel hota hai. Lekin agar aapko nahi pasand to...

Vi(taking her in a bear hug): kya abhi b wo teddy bear waali feeling aa rahi hai?

Nandini just nods her head on his chest.

Vi: to bas..aaj se tum mujhe teddy bear hee bulaaogi. Final.

Nandini gives him a wide grin. In between all this their maggie got ready. Nandini serves it in 2 bowls .. passes 1 bowl to Vishal and goes n gets something for herself from the fridge. She comes n sits opposite to Vishal and quickly opens the cap of the MAYONNAISE bottle that she had got from the fridge. Vishal makes faces at that..

Vi: ye..mayonnaise kyu?

Nan: yehi to mera style hai maggie khaane ka..it tastes soo yummmmm. Aap chakhoge?
(Even i looovvveee eating maggie with mayonnaise 👌)

Vi: no no...i m gud with traditional maggie.

Nan: ok.

On the other hand..Nyeonika was roaming in the dark passage when she bumps into someone.

Man+Nyeo: ouchhh

Man: mom?

Nyeo: Mannu? Tu itni raat ko kya kar raha hai? Abhi tak soye nahi?

Man: me to sone hee jaa raha tha..wo cabir k room me tha. Aap itni raat ko kya kar rahi ho?

Nyeo (annoyed): kya karungi? Tumhare dad ko dhoond rahi hu. Pata nahi uthke kaha chale gaye.

Man: seriously mom..u really dont knw dad kaha honge is waqt.

Man+Nyeo: kitchen.

Both Manik n Nyeonika head towards the kitchen.

Nandini starts taking bites of her yummilicious maggie n with every bite she closes her eyes to cherish the taste...which looked quite tempting for Vishal. He coughs a little and asks Nandini to fetch him a glass of water..n as soon as she goes out of sight..he immediately takes a bite from her bowl..n indeed..it was much better than the traditional one. When he sees Nandini approaching..he immediately acts of eating from his bowl...which was already empty by now. After a while..he asks Nandini to go get him black pepper..as he likes adding it to his maggie (trying to hide his empty bowl from her)..she obliges him and goes..n here..Vishal again takes quick 2/3 bites of her maggie. Nandini comes back n hands him black pepper. She looks at her bowl n frowns..coz it was decreasing inspite of her not eating that much. Chucking her thoughts as mere illusions..she continues to cherish her maggie...when again Vishal sends her to get lime this time.. Nandini happily goes n opens the fridge to take out the lime..on not finding it..she turns behind only to catch Vishal eating from her bowl of maggie.

Nandini opens her mouth in o n keeps her both hands on her hips..n sternly calls out for him..

Nan: Teddy bear!!

Listening to Nandini's voice..Manik n Nyeonika who were going to shout at Vishal on seeing him eating maggie at midnight..stopped at their routes n turned to look at Nandini who was shooting daggers at Vishal. Here..Vishal turns n gives an innocent look with a nervous smile to Nandini.
Nandini walks upto him..takes her bowl away n says..

Nan: to aap hai jo chori chori meri maggie khaa rahe the? Not fair Teddy bear..aapko aapka hissa diya tha na..to phir mera hissa kyu khaaya?

Vi: wo...wo Angel..mene socha tumhara waala try karlu..bas isliye..zyada nahi khaaya..thoda heee...

Nan(looking in her bowl which was now almost empty): thoda hee? Aapne mera poora maggie khatam kerdiya Teddy bear..thats so unfair of u. Ab me kya khaau? (Pouting sadly)

Vi: arre..to hum dusra banaa lenge na.

Nan: kaha se banaayenge? Aapne to saari maggie daal di thi. U just finished my maggie too..Teddy bear..thats cheating..huh (crossing her arms and turning her face to other side)

Nyeo: Vishal? Tumne saari maggie khaali?

Nan: dekhiye na aunty..Teddy bear ne apni maggie k saath saath..meri yummy maggie b khali. Jab mene kaha tha chakh lo..tab bada manaa ker rahe the..ab dekho...safaa chat ker diya.

Man: Teddy bear?

Nyeo: yummy maggie?

Vi: haan wo..Angel mujhe aaj se teddy bear bulaayegi. Aur yummy maggie coz usne usme mayonnaise milaaya tha.

Man: mayonnaise??eeew

Nan: what eew?? Teddy bear ne bhi pehle eew kiya..aur phir dekho...kaise bowl saaf kerdiya.

Man: Teddy bear?? (Laughing) God seriously Nandini..sirf tum hee aise weird naam de sakti ho.

Vi: oye khotiya...khabardaar angel ko kuch bola. Aur kya buraai hai teddy bear me? Tujhe pata hai kitna soft feel kerta hai wo..aur kitni pyaari smile laata hai wo..isiliye to angel mujhe teddy bear bolti hai..kyunki me b use wahi smile deta hu.. hai na?

Nandini just bobs her head.

Nyeo: acha chalo...bohot raat hogai hai. Nandini..beta tum na..is Vishal ko chodna mat..kal poora din inse maggie banaa na. Lekin abhi chalke so jaao.

Vi: haan to..apni angel k liye me poori raat aur poora din maggie banaa ne k liye tayyar hu.

Nandini smiles at them.

Nan: uski zarurat nahi. Aapne pyaar se bola..wahi bohot hai.

Vi(keeping his hand on her head): chalo..ab sote hai.

Nyeo: ek min. Ye jo yaha pe tum logo ne gandagi ki hai..sab cheeze phelaa k rakha hai..wo koun uthaayga.

Vi: Nyeo darling..hum sab kaam share kerke kerte hai na. Maggie banaayi aur khaayi mene aur meri Angel ne..to ab ise saaf tum aur tumhara beta kerlo. Kaam divided. .problem solved.

Saying so..he drags Nandini out of there..leaving behind shocked mother son.

Man: mom..aapko nahi lagta..dad kuch zyada hee Nandini se chipak rahe hai. Not that i m complaining..but un dono ne to hamare khilaaf abhi se hee team banaa di.

Nyeo (smirking): hamare khilaaf nahi..tumhare khilaaf. Yaad nahi kal nandini ne kya kaha. Me aur tumhare dad ek team hee huwe. So me to chali sone..tum ye saara mess clear kerke sojaana...ok? Gud nyt baby.

Saying so..Nyeonika too leaves from there..leaving a stunned Manik.

Man: waah Nandini..kya jadoo kerdiya tumne. Waise inse kya shikaayat karu..jab k me khud tumhare magic k spell me hu.

Ruffling his hair..he starts cleaning the mess. After cleaning the kitchen.he was going towards his room when he saw the lights leading to the terrace was open. He goes there n finds the door of the terrace open too. Wondering who would go out at this time..he goes to check. On reaching the terrace..he finds Nandini standing there..looking at the far end..lost in her thoughts. He smiles n goes next to her..

Man: ehemmm.

Nandini turns her gaze towards him n smiles..then turns back again.

Man: kya soch rahi ho?

Nandini just shakes her head in a no: kuch nahi.

Man: hmmm..

Silence......

Man: Nandini...

Nandini turns towards him..n finds him standing facing her with his one hand put forward..palm facing the sky.. Nandini looks at his hand and then at him..asking thru eyes.

Man: May I have a dance?

Nandini unfolds her hands which were crossed around her chest.. she looks at his hand n again at him.. then taking her hand near her ear..she gestures in a no...n lightly whispers..

Nan: no music.

Manik takes his other hand next to his ear n gestures with his eyes to concentrate..

A soft music was playing in the background..which was coming from Manik's mobile.

(Bg song: shayad yehi hai pyaar..
Credits..sweetdreamer009)

Nandini places her hand in his hand. Manik gently but firmly squeezes her hand n pulls her a little closer.

Nan (in a whispering voice): but we havent practiced. How will we synchronize?

Man: just look into my eyes.

He blinks his eyes n locks his eyes with Nandini. As the song started...they started doing the basic salsa steps..completely in synchronization. Taking a step forward and then backward..moving according to the beats...the words of the songs as if perfectly depicting their current feelings. Manik pushes Nandini a bit away from him n turns her around n pulls her back to him..he slides his one hand in her hair n says..

Man(looking into her eyes n dancing ): i like ur hair open..U dont have to tie them when with me.

He again pushes her forward to form the other salsa step..n with this push..Nandini's hair fall open on her back..as Manik had cleverly opened the pin which was holding Nandini's hair. They continue to dance together..not for a moment moving their eyes away from each other..it looked as if 2 bodies were just gelling up to let their souls talk. Manik carried Nandini with the support of her palms placed in his pams n slowly made a complete circle. Nandini was all the time looking in his eyes. Putting her down..he again makes her turn around and finally..he dipped her down..his one hand wrapped securely at her waist and other holding her 1 hand. The song came to an end but they were still lost in each other. Not able to control anymore..Manik slowly descends down towards the hollow of her neck...and gently places an open mouth kiss there....

###############

Hello lovely people..

Wishing u all a very happy, successful, healthy and a prosperous new year...

Here is the update...hope u enjoy it..i tried revealing abhi n Nandini's relation in a different manner..hope u guys liked it..if u still have any confusions..m always there for u all..
Take care

Happy reading 😊