ArMan Industries 

A black BMW car stopped right outside the VIP parking lot of the huge multi national company of ArMan but no one came out. 

Nandini-"Are you planning to sit here the whole day?" Nandini asked Manik while he sighed looking in front. 

Manik-" I can't Nandini... I just can't get in there again. Earlier ArMan was like a second home to me as I had my mentor my brother there. This building has seen our love and our hatred both Nandini. Going inside is gonna open up all my wound again which I have tried healing all these years." He looked at her with pain in his eyes and Nandini just couldn't see her Monster this weak. She knew it will be difficult to step in again in this building but it was very important as the project demanded them to work together.

Nandini-" Manik, I'm there for you at your every step. My monster is not that weak and it may happen that this time your wound gets completely healed. Think of the love which ArMan gave not the hatred." She took his hands in hers and kissed his palm calming his inner self down.

Manik gave a small smile and nodded in agreement, he kissed Nandini's cheeks and forehead, muttering an 'I love you and stay with me' he got out the car. 

As soon as Manik stepped in the one of the watchman stood up and smiled saluting him. 

"Manik baba. Aapko yahan waaps dekhke bohot acha laga." His joy filled voice said that he was really happy while his wrinkled face had a huge smile. 

Manik-" Auro dada aapko bhi dekhke bohot acha laga. And plz aap salute matt kariye." with this Auro banerjee kept his hands down and opened the door for Manik. Nandini was all the time smiling at the back with a surprised look, but she understood that this old man mattered a lot to Manik. 

(I will be showing some flashback in between which will be in italics so hope you won't be confused. Do listen to the song along with reading the below scenes.)

Jhootha jag rain basera
Saancha dard mera
Mrig-trishna sa moh piya
Naata mera tera

Manik-" And I came first!!! See Big Bro you again lost to me." Manik stood up on his seat of his convertible car while Arjun got down from his car just outside ArMan. 

Arjun-" That is because a cat came in front of my car it's not my fault that I had to put a break Manu. Also I couldn't see my little bro loose." 

Manik-" Excuses, excuses, excuses!! Auro Dada I won right? Aapne dekha na." He asked the old man who was smiling looking at his 2 bosses bickering like small kids. 

Auro-" Well yes Manik won but Arjun also was not at fault." 

Manik-" Well doesn't matter actually, main jeetu yaa Big Bro it's always gonna be both of us together. But then you need to give me an ice cream treat tonight." He jumped down from his car and kept his hand on Arjun's shoulder. 

Arjun-" Of course Manu, but for now let's get inside and behave like bosses. We have finally reached the office my brother. And if I'm not wrong it's your first day as being a CEO." He smirked looking at Manik who was now creasing his blazer properly and coming back to his Manik Malhotra- the CEO skin. 

Manik-" Let's get in Mr. Malhotra I'm ready, you stop wasting time ." He winked at him once and got inside while Arjun just rolled his eyes. 

Naina.. jo saanjhe khwab dekhte the
Naina.. bichad ke aaj ro diye hain yun
Naina.. jo milke raat jaagte the
Naina.. sehar mein palken meechte hain yun

Shivansh came to greet Manik along with Aarohi, Manik hugged Shivansh while the later  pressed his shoulder a little understanding his inner turmoil. As they were going inside Manik felt like a reel was rolling at the back of his mind bringing back memories of his in this office. Nothing has changed in this building and that was just making it more difficult for him.

Shiv-" Let's do one thing you people have some snacks and beverage in my cabin and after that we will head to the conference room till then Aarohi will have a final check. Arjun will also join us shortly am I right Aarohi?" He turned to Aarohi who nodded. She was confused from the morning with Arjun's behaviour. He was messing things up and asking her to do thing again and again and right now when he should have been here to welcome Manik but he went after a call came. 

As they moved towards Shivansh's cabin Manik suddenly stopped in front of a cabin and so did Shivansh and Nandini. 

Juda huye kadam
Jinhone li thi ye kasam
Milke chalenge hardum
Ab baant'te hain ye gham

Arjun-" Here is your cabin Mr. CEO, Welcome to your own cabin. I hope you like it and it is exactly like your taste." He held the glass door open for Manik welcoming him in while Manik was just amazed looking at the cabin so grand and at the same time so classy. Each and every corner of it screamed it was designed by Arjun giving personal touches. 

Manik-" Oh my god, Bhai! You designed this cabin right? This surely is done by you as it has so much of your touch. I so love you Bro." He hugged him tightly in happiness while Arjun laughed seeing his baby brothers happiness. 

Arjun-" Umm.. yes you are right. Well I had to design this right because you are finally going to be with me in the office on your own merit and how can I not gift you something on your success? So a small gift from my side and look your fav. picture is also up there." He  turned Manik a little and that is when Manik saw a huge picture of Ruhi, Manik and Arjun hung on the wall. This was Manik's favorite photo of the trio which he had kept in his room too. 

(MANIK'S Cabin with the picture of the trio)

Bheege naina.. jo khidkhiyon se jhankte the

Naina.. ghutan mein band ho gaye hai yun

Nandini-" Manik?! What happened?" Nandini snapped him out of his thoughts but she saw his eyes glistering. Shivansh who was right in front of him said what he felt can make him calm. 

Shiv-" Umm.. that room is closed from the last 5 years now. Kisi ko allowed nahi hai wahan jaana Manik." He tried communicating through his eyes that Arjun still loves him and nothing  and no one can change or take his place. Manik doesn't say anything but just moves forward. 

They waited in Shivansh's room for sometime when Manik had his head down on his table ton clam himself down, How is he gonna face Arjun, his brother in ArMan, their dream company, the company that made them, their name in the market, the award that appreciated them was all because of ArMan and its all because his brother trusted his (Arjun's) bade papa over him. 

*Its true somewhere, blood is always thicker than water. The blood relations are always trusted over half blood I though our relation was different but now, you proved me wrong Arjun bhai. You proved me wrong.* 

He still remembers that dreadful day when Manik was no more a part of ArMan without giving a benefit of the doubt, without giving him a chance to explain himself. 

He asked his brother if he trusted him and he said yes. He said that I trust you Manu he said that I can never doubt my younger brother. 

Flashback: 

Manik barged into Arjun's cabin to see him working for today's deal. It was very important for the company and not just company but for Arman's respect too. 

Arjun noticed the disheveled state of his younger brother and stood up confused. 

"Manik, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Arjun asked but panicked when he saw a bruise forming on his brothers right cheek, a cut on his lip and his knuckles had a cuts on it while the blood was oozing from it. it looked like he had a fight with someone and a tough fight on that. 

"Manik what's wrong?" Arjun asked now on the alert mode, how dare anyone hurt his baby brother, he would have set the world on fire if something would have happened to him but this is no less, he'll kill those morons with his own hands who made his brother bleed. 

"Bhai...Bhai listen to me. You trust me right? You trust your baby brother haina, your Manu?" Manik blabbered. he needed a validation that his big brother trusted him and he was not wrong.

"Manik... Shant bacche, of course I trust you yeh kesa sawal hai?" 

"Bhai, you need to delete that presentation, it will destroy our company and your reputation, the rival company has the same presentation and they are presenting before us." 

"What the heck are you speaking Manik we cannot do that now, its hardly an hour left and how do you know that they copied our presentation." 

"Because Manik himself gave the presentation to Shetty, Arjun beta. The real culprit is not Shetty but your own brother. He cheated on you, I told you not to trust Nyonika's blood Arjun, the woman who killed your mother, how can we trust her blood to not to cheat and play with lives." 

"Akaash Malhotra, don't you dare say a word against my mom!" 

"What will you do huh? You are caught now Manik, none of your tricks will now work on my nephew, I have all the proofs with me." 

"Bade papa what are you talking about? what proofs? and I don't need any proofs my brother is innocent and I know it, he cannot cheat. 

"Bhai pls... Lis--" 

"Oh really? Then what would do you have to say about these proofs Arjun?"  Akaash threw the pictures of Manik talking, shaking hands, smiling and most importantly handing the presentation to Mr. Shetty and more over there was a video of Manik and Mr. Shetty talking to Mr. Shetty or rather bad mouthing about ArMan and saying why he wanted to support ArMan, or how he is making his brother a fool. 

Saans hairaan hai
Mann pareshaan hai
Ho rahi si kyun ruaansa ye meri jaan hai

Arjun was stunned in his place, he never expected this to happen, he trusted his brother. He knew his brother can never do this. 

'No, I won't believe this unless Manik says from  his mouth that he did this.' Arjun thought to himself and wiped the lone tear that escaped from his eyes. He took a deep breath dreading if today his trust is gonna break broking him in the way. 

"Manik." Arjun called Manik who was standing there stunned too. 

"Bhai let me explain, this is conspiracy." 

"Did you do this or not, did you gave the presentation to Shetty? Did you say all those words? Tell me Manik?" 

"Bhai please let me explain..." 

"Just yes or no Manik?" 

"Bhai..." 

"JUST YES OR NO MANIK." 

"Yes. But Bhai this is not what it looks like..." 

"Yeah, the old ass dialogue every culprit  says that 'This is not what it looks like' but Manik Malhotra it is what it looks like, you played with my nephew, with his feelings, you made a joke of him." 

"Akaash Malhotra stay out of it, its none of your business, it between me and my brother." As soon as Manik completed his sentence a voice echoed in Arjun's cabin. 

*SLAP*

A voice of slap and also a voice of two broken hearts.

"I trusted you... I TRUSTED YOU MANIK MALHOTRA! EVEN WHEN YOU WERE THE BLOOD OF MY MOTHER'S KILLER. I TRUSTED YOU!! EVEN WHEN MY OWN BLOOD WERE WARNING ME TO NOT TO I TRUSTED YOU. EVEN WHEN THE WORLD SAID YOU'LL BETRAY ME I TRUSTED YOU!! I loved you Manik, more than my life, more than Ruhi, more than my dad. YOU WERE MY SOUL MANIK. How could YOU?" Arjun asked clutching Manik's collar, tears weren't stopping from his eyes, he couldn't believe his Manik did this while Manik stood there numb. 

Why was his brother talking in past tense? His brother was trusting the rubbish proofs over their love? His brother did not trust him.

Kyun nirasha se hai
Aas haari huyi
Kyun sawaalon ka utha sa
Dil mein toofaan hai

"Bhai? You don't trust me?" he asked with choked voice.

"I DID! I did trust you Manik and this is the result I got." 

"Bhai believe me this was all my trap to catch Shetty and his men working in our company trying to hamper ArMan's reputation, I agree I did all this, I did say those words, but I mean none Bhai. I gave the presentation to him and I made the new one for us Bhai." 

"Fine Manik, give me the presentation, show me and I'll trust you, heck I'll ask for your forgiveness in front of whole ArMan staff or even the world if I have to just prove me wrong Manik. For the first time in my life I want to be wrong. Just show me the presentation I beg of you Manik." 

Manik silently cried at his own stupidity for not keeping the pen drive safe, for making his brother cry, beg in front of me. 

"I lost the pen drive bhai and my laptop was trashed by someone. I don't how but believe me bhai" 

*SLAP*

Arjun couldn't help but slap him again with a never seen rage in his eyes. 

"Get out." Arjun whispered audibly.  

"Bhai, I can make the presentation again, just give me chance. I'll make the presentation before the meeting Bhai, just trust me.

"Don't do the same mistake again, this boy cannot be trust again." Aakash warned. 

"Get out before I regret doing something which I shouldn't Manik Malhotra. Get out." 

"Bhai, please." 

"GET OUT MANK MALHOTRA!" Arjun shouted. 

His voice hold the authority which Manik couldn't deny, he dejectedly moved out of his cabin and went home in hope that he'll find the pen drive or something that can help prove his innocence, but luck wasn't on his side that day. He again went to ArMan to manofy his brother and make him believe his innocence, he knew his brother said everything in anger he never meant it but when he reached Arjun's cabin and what he saw was enough to break his heart into millions of pieces. 

"Bade papa was right Veer, I should have trusted my own blood over Nyonika's. If not for your presentation ArMan would have lost all the respect and no one would have worked with us and we would have faced bankruptcy." Arjun spoke and a lone tear escaped from Manik's eyes. It was Manik's pen drive in Veer hands. it was his presentation which was presented in the meeting and now he came to know the game plan of Aaksah Malhotra he was ready to bragged him but what made him stop in his tracks were Arjun's next words,

"But I'll do what should have done before, Veer will you become my partner in ArMan. Manik is no more related to ArMan or me, he has no relation with me and ArMan, you are the deserving one, will you take his place?" 

"You don't have to ask twice Bhai." He heard Veer's reply. 

It was so easy for his brother to replace him? 
************

Manik came out of his reverie when he felt a soothing hands on his shoulder and voice of door opening, Manik looked at the door and there stood his brother with his sister looking at Manik's bloodshot eyes. 

"It was so easy for you to replace me right?" Manik wanted to ask the question but it came out a statement which pinched Arjun's heart leaving him stunned. 

Manik stormed out of Shivansh's office dragging Nandini with him. 

.

"Manik! Manik what are you doing. Manik stop please!!" Nandini was trying to stop Manik while he kept dragging her. 

" We are going back Nandini, arrange the meeting tomorrow and in MII not here. Or better let's backout from this deal I will never come here." 

He was about to get in the lift when Nandini stopped him by biting his hand that was holding her wrist, making him whines.

"Aahh... Nandini!" He looked at his wrist when Nandini looked here and there and then dragged him to the fire escape just near the lift. 

She just hugged him tight while he broke down in tears. Nandini made him sit on the stairs while he was trying to hide himself in her small form completely. 

"Shaant Manik... shhhhh, it's ok. It's ok just let it out Manik don't keep it inside." She was craddling his huge body like a baby in her arms and ruffling his hair. 

"He didn't trust me Nandini... H..he replaced me so easily. All of his love for me was a façade which evaporated into thin air by mere fake proofs. Why? Why he did this Nandini why he did this to me. I... I can't go there again. He... he was my bi.. big Bro Nandini, BIG BRO who always said that he believed me but when the time came to prove it he failed. Why he did this to me." he was crying and crying while telling her that his brother didn't believed him. 

"No Manik.. Arjun Sir's love for you is true, it's still the same. He still loves you Manik just the same way but right now the things are not right. Woh jaise chaand ke samne grahan lag jaata hai aur chaand nahi dikhta, par aisa sach thodi hota hai, bas chand chup jaata hai lekin rehta hamesha aasmaan mein hai. Waise he Arjun sir ka pyaar tumhare liye abhi bbhi hai bas iss fight and misunderstandings mein chup gaya hai. If he hadn't loved you then he would have given your cabin to someone else right, but see he didn't Manik. I saw the emotional look on your face while looking at the cabin." She tried consoling him like a mother does to her child. 

" It's all a myth Nandini, it's all a myth. He doesn't love me nor does he feel anything for me. Even this project is a compromise because it is a great opportunity which he doesn't want to loose. It hurt's here Nandini, right here tearing it apart looking at him every time to see hurt and hatred for me, which I never deserved. It would have been better if I had died long back." He started beating his fist right on his heart vigorously while Nandini who couldn't hear her love talking bullshit just pressed her lips with his stopping him from speaking a word more. 

She bit his lips harshly as if punishing him for talking about death and at the same time smooching it softly to take away all his inner pain and hurt which he has kept within. Manik just let her heal him with her love while his hands snaked around her waist pulling her closer. They were so lost in themselves that they didn't notice the person watching all this unfold with eyes widened on utter shock.

.

.

It was none other than Ruhanika Malhotra who was so worried for her Maan bro when she saw his red shot eyes and then him storming off from Shivansh's room. She ran behind Manik to stop him from going but found the lift on the same floor. She was about to go to the other direction when she heard sobbing sounds from the Fire Escape and knew her brother was there. She had heard everything what Manik and Nandini spoke and her anger rose when Manik talked about death and she opened the door to give him a piece of her mind when the sight infront of her shocked her to the core. 

Ruhi-" What the F**k Maan Bro?" her cursing brought them out of their land or say dropped them in front of a curious angry lioness, well her looks did said the same. 

They got up immediately where Nandini didn't know what to do after being caught, Manik palmed his face wiping his tears and then combing his hair with his fingers leaving a huge sigh. 

"Language Ruhi chui, how many times have I told you not use the F-word." He was all calm now while Nandini's eyes widened at his words.

Ruhi-" You are correcting my LANGUAGE here when in reality you should explain me what the heck is happening between you two Bhai? Like wow just great." She threw a fit looking at her ohh so smart brother who was acting like a cry baby some minutes ago acting all cool. How could he hide this from her? 

" Why should I ? You are not my parent that I need to explain why am I kissing my girlfriend. You are my sister not to forget YOUNGER SISTER. I don't need to explain anything to you chuhiya." Manik stuffed his hands in his pant pocket while Nandini just wanted to either evaporate in thin air or dig him down 6'1 feet down for uttering all those things. 

Ruhi-" Nandu Di is your girlfriend and I have no idea about this. Nandu Di I'm Katti with you, and this time real wala. And you Mr. Dermi cool Malhotra better come back to the conference room as the meeting will start. Don't answer me about your adult act but you will have to answer to Dadda and Mom. I will see you at home for all the shit you have spoken sometime ago and even this but right now we need to attend the meeting." She smirked at last ordering them to get in the conference room soon. 

"Manik, what will happen now? Ruhi ko pata lag gaya hamare baare mein and she will tell Mr and Mrs. Malhotra. Manik kuch bolte kyun nhai tum." Nandini pushed him a little. 

"Don't worry Nandini she won't say anything to Mom and Dad. I know that Nautanki, sirf bolti hai woh kuch nahi karegi. Let's go before she comes back to say something more." With this they both left to the conference room.

**************************

Arjun was sitting in the conference room engrossed in his thoughts when Ruhi came inside making a loud sound which was seen by Shivansh as well as Arjun but the later said nothing and got up from his seat to only stand near the huge glass window. 

Flashback 

" The project goes to ArMan group of Co. I must say these 2 young men are gems to the corporate sector and I'm so glad to be working with you two." One of the client  was praising the Malhotra brothers who were finding it difficult to believe they bragged their first ever big project. Greeting with everyone and seeing them all off now they were in the conference room alone. 

"Big Bro WE WON!!!!! WOHOOOOOO... IT'S PARTY TIME." Manik jumped on Arjun like a monkey and Arjun caught him while laughing and jumping with him. 

"I know Manu, this is done because of your superb presentation. That presentation was so accurate and had every plan of ours showcased that they had to give it to us." Arjun patted Manik's back proudly. 

"Bhai this was a collaborative victory, my presentation would have no value if you hadn't explained it so well, so Big bro stop giving me the entire credit. We are ArMan for a reason, see always together." Manik said making Arjun smile. 

"Time for our party and this time the treat is on me." Arjun dragged Manik while he got all excited and they both left the hall. 

Arjun was so lost in rewinding all the moments which they had lived here, all the victories and all the happiness that he didn't notice Manik coming in. 

Shiv-"Arjun... Arjun!"

As soon as Arjun turned hearing Shivansh's voice his eyes wet met with Manik's and looking at it he read that even he was remembering the same moments. 

All the others in the hall were just staring at them, the only person being confused was Aarohi as she had no idea of the brother's fights or their past. 

Manik-" I guess we should start off  with the meeting." He cleared his throat grabbing everyone's attention and they all nodded. 

The meeting had started with Arjun and Manik sitting on opposite sides while on Manik's left sat Nandini, then Ruhi, opposite to her was Aarohi and then Shivansh. Both their presentations started again and Nandini and Aarohi were jotting down points on which they had to work together. Next up was the presentation of Mr. Taneja which stated what he wants from both the companies. Shivansh got up to speak as he was the mediator between these 2 crack-heads.

Shiv-" Mr. Taneja is planning on building the most grandest 7 star hotel in Mumbai and for that he needs everything to be perfect from the construction of the building to the interiors of the hotel. So as we can see that what Mr. Taneja wants from us and also why he chose both ArMan Group and MII, now it's time for dividing the work."

That is when the conference room door opens with a bang. 

"Hello Folks!!! meeting has started without me?" 

All eyes turned towards the voice with different expression.

*************************

Tan tanaaaaaa!!!!!
A long long longggg update with lots of emotions from our side.

How was it????

What do you have to say about our Malhotra brothers?? !!

So these were some of their  past happy and tragic memories attached to ArMan.

Ruhanika Malhotra got to know about our MaNan's sweet little secret relation😉
(Ruhi-" pray for your Manik our lovely fans. As I'm not gonna leave my brother so easily😈)

Neha-" it will be fun!! I'm excited for this.😈😆"
Amaya-" Allah save Manik, CB and Ruhi are a dangerous combo. Manik ka kya hoga?💁"

Who interrupted the meeting?

We will meet you soon with another chapter till then enjoy this chapter and keep spreading this love.❤

Your crazy writer duo,
Neha and Amaya SpillThe_Wit