Goods Morning Amigos !! Remember this one and me..!!

Apologies for being irregular, but job and MBA together is sucking all the energy out of me at an alarming speed.

Originally i had written about 15K words, but when i re-read the part, i realized how repetitive and random the write up was, i wrote it again in a crisp and more systematic manner because i feel the first step towards being a decent writer is to convey a lot with a few words which I clearly failing with the initial draft.

So here's a new revised version of chapter 5 with a new title - "It's about family".  The part previously published is also in it somewhere in the middle with new editions. Hope you all like it and it all makes sense now. Well nothing makes sense to me as it is 6:30AM and i have been up all night, off to take a power nap to prepare myself for a tiring day ahead.

But hey wait, heartiest congratulation to Niti Taylor..!! Just as everyone i too have something to say on this and on certain other related issues, which i shall post  in my other book "Scribbles"..Don't forget to check that out once i post the update message on my conversation page.

Unedited - Donot shy way from pointing out errors

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5-It's about family

"Penny for thoughts", Kartikeya spoke as he settled down next to his wife in their room balcony, carefully placing their respective coffee mugs on the garden table.

Myra shook her head in denial, shrugging her shoulders in the process as she pick up her cup before getting lost in the horizon yet again. It was the twentieth time since morning that Myra had dismissed him when he poked her in between her thoughts. Not that he had started keeping the count of the times she passed him a smile or the times she hugged him without any specific reason or the time she ignored him, it was just that he had started noticing them now more often than before. Irritated by her ignorance, he poked her yet again only to get her glaring back at him.

Passing a sly smile he spoke, "What !! I have been observing you since morning, you are ignoring me and my questions and the probability of that happening between us is only on two occasions, one you are mad at me or there is something cooking in your head. Now by my understanding, I don't think I have done anything in past twenty four hours for you to get mad so the only possible explanation is.."

"That I am thinking something...Fine I get it, will you now stay quiet. Damn you speak a lot"

"Hey..!! Dare you comment on my facial yoga !!"

Myra raised her eyebrow, " Facial yoga...Are you serious Kari ??"

"Kari again !!", Kartikeya gritted his teeth before passing forced smile, "Nonetheless seeing the gravity of situation, I'll let that pass. So where were we, Yes Facial Yoga...You see the idea of facial yoga is to stretch you facial muscles, so when we talk we put our jaw muscles in action..why do think I have such sharp jawline.. Look...look just perfect..isn't it ??"

"Ok Mr-I-am-the-best, I get it..will you stop troubling me now ??"

"Not until I get to know what's troubling you...What is it Myra ?? Is it Manik ?? You know he would be fine in a few months !!"

"That is what is troubling me"

"Huh..!! Oh wait a minute are you troubled by the fact that he would leave once he gets better. Is Myra Malhotra worried about missing her little brother..hmm ??"

Pressing her lips firmly together Myra replied , "Done or there's more !! I think your jaws have exercised enough for the day, so just stay quiet and listen. I am thinking of the future, I mean times after Manik is healed"

"That is", Kartikeya's attempt to interrupt her went in vain as she glared at him and being a sensible human he took a step back, "Nothin...You continue...What about the times ahead ?"

"The ambiguity of future..!! Technically, Manik and Nandini have only completed their twelfth grade for the bachelors they were pursuing is incomplete, they can't possibly live their life by just being in love can they ? Education is so important and amidst all this chaos we are somewhere neglecting it !!"

"You want them to complete their education, that's not a problem, they can do it once Manik gets fine and infact we can get them enrolled in an university here, this way they would stay with us longer too. "

"But what about the time that would be lost till then"

"Myra...Can you be a little clear with whatever you are trying to say? ..Because if you want them to resume their studies right now that might get a little too much considering the stress those two are already in"

"But Kari don't you think thinking about medicines and treatment all the time is increasing their stress too.. Tell me what is their escape from all this.. Nothing right !! "

"I get it but Manik needs proper rest, university at this stage might have adverse effect"

"Which is why I am thinking of home schooling...Kari you said we would get them enrolled here but have you forgotten that the language of Bachelor courses in almost all universities here is Danish and these two don't even know a D of Danish which is why I was thinking of asking Martha to take their classes. She taught us and she is pretty good and most importantly patient which considering Manik to be a prodigy might just come handy"

"Det lyder godt for mig, lad os diskutere med dem først, så ringer jeg til Martha" (Translation - Sounds good to me, let us discuss with them first and then i'll call Martha)

"Jeg tror, ​​det er bare to af os, du kan holde dansk til side i et stykke tid og tale som almindelige mennesker" (Translation - I think it is just two of us you can keep Danish aside for a while and talk like regular people)

"Okay fru" (Translation – Okay Madam), Myra glared at Kartikeya, "What is your problem with Danish anyway ?"

"Nothing, it just doesn't feel homely enough"

"Yet you decide to stay and make a living here in a foreign country"

"Can we have this conversation some other time.. ?? I am not interested at the moment !! Let's talk with them and see if they agree. And one more thing Don't tell them it was my idea"

"Why ?? Trying to hide our care...Are we ? I thought we were past that awkwardness !!"

"No not that !! I just don't want to seem to interfering, all these years I haven't given a damn about him and now I am involved in almost everything.. I just don't want to go overboard !!"

"You won't..!! you not giving a damn also implies on him losing out on the care and love. Manik is like an immensely dried out mud reservoir with cracks wide open, you keep pouring water and the mud would keep absorbing it. There is nothing like too much of water to overflow. Plus it is high time they should know, that you care for them not because of blood related duties for Manik or as a honorarium for Nandini's grandmother but because.."

"But because they are family", replied Myra before walking out

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Sometimes we get so flustered with the present, that we lose the sight of future, and in such testing times, there is always someone who has his eyes wide open, guiding and guarding the future. That someone who shines for you today just so you don't have to face dark nights tomorrow is FAMILY

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Nandini jumped on bed again in order to wake up her boyfriend for whom his sleep was more important than his girlfriend's marvelous idea which by the way he wasn't aware of.

"Manik get up get up", Nandini said jumping for nth time on the bed

"You know what Nandini, Di did not get the mattresses replaced for you to turn into a jumping jack..I am sleepy..Let me sleep", Nandini opened her mouth to interrupt but Manik was quick enough, "And I will listen to your mindboggling idea once I get up...Shu now"

On not hearing a word for next thirty seconds, Manik cautiously opened one eye only to see his love grumpily sitting on the opposite side of the bed. No wait, that was not a grumpy face, it was a ticking bomb and before it could blast Manik sat up straight on bed.

"Okay baba sorry..!! Tell me what my genius girlfriend has in her head now !!"

"No why should I ?? Your sleep is important right so go sleep.. Shu !!"

"I was just joking and playing around with you...!! I am not sleepy at all, please tell me !!"

Nandini took out her mobile and opened a video in it before handing that over to Manik.

"What !! Watching youtube, that is your idea !!"

"Manik"

She rolled her eyes before glaring at him to focus. The video ending in three minutes and fifteen seconds leaving Manik utterly confused as to why he spend three minutes and fifteen seconds watching a guy singing with guitar. No doubt the guy was good singer and an acoustic guitar version gave a new dimension to the song but Manik was completely oblivion to Nandini's point of view.

"Manik, I know you must be thinking why this video. So answering your questions, this guy has almost a million subscribers, and all he needs to do for that is to sit in a room, take a guitar and sing with all heart. You can totally do that too Manik. Let us open your youtube account, you have a guitar here and all you have to do is what you love the most of course next to loving me, that is, casually sitting, strumming guitar and singing along. This is just perfect.. Isn't it ??"

"Nah I don't know, I just want to get fine first and then focus on anything else"

"I get it Manik, all I am saying is instead of sleeping and lazying around, you can do something productive with the time in hand. Remember on our date, you said let's forget everything and behave like two twenty year olds for at least a few moments in a day, well normal us would have been making music and relaxing in those few moments. Music has always given us peace and calmed us down Manik. Think about it."

"Even if I make an account what is the guarantee that it will stand out and not get lost amidst millions of accounts here and mind you I am not interested in taking BIL's help in this regard"

"Neither am I asking you to, for your talent is good enough to get you noticed. We can promote your account on our social media handles. You were already popular in SPACE, our friends there can further share and spread the word. It is the age of social media Manik, let us utilize the opportunity it brings with it as much as we can"

"I think you are right...I will think about it but for now I need some quality time with my girlfriend"

"And what all do you intend to do in this quality time of yours"

"I'll rather have my actions do the talking"

Before they could continue, they heard throat clearing sounds coming from the door and on a reflex, they parted themselves. Kartikeya and Myra had heard their conversation and they couldn't be more proud of these two brave-hearts. All that they were going through was tough but these two never allowed the hope to diminish.

However, their sudden interruption led to a little awkwardness in the air, Nandini was shy and Manik was flustered. To restore ease, Myra spoke

"The idea is brilliant Nandu, you should definitely try it out Manik"

"As I said I will think about it Di....How come you guys here ?"

"Oh that !! sit down you two, we need to speak with both of you."

"Is everything alright Di ?", Nandini asked

"Yes what makes you think it isn't"

"Well firstly you should be in office at this time and secondly Jijs is quiet eversince he came"

"We are at home since it is Grundlovsdag, the constitution day here in Denmark, that's a public holiday and about your Jijs, I guess he is done with his jaw exercise for now"

"Jaw exercise...what's that ?"

"Aray Nandu, it is a facial", Kartikeya looked at Myra who gave him a look that said don't you dare continue that, "Ah leave that story for some other time, listen Myra thinks and I agree that you guys should continue you education"

"But jijs Manik's health !!"

"We know that Nandu", Myra chipped in, "Manik is not well but would be fine soon. We just think you both should continue your studies once he is fine and we wish if you could that here in Denmark"

"I think we can work on that, what do you say Nandini ? Actually why am I even asking you, you toh love studying. Di she is one of those best student types in class"

"While you were a bank bencher"

"Nope rather the notorious front bencher. Well since it was music, I wasn't a back bencher otherwise no doubt I would have been one."

"Notorious and wise, opposites do attract right !! Well moving on, since you guys agree, you agree right Nandu", Kartikey asked to which Nandini nodded in approval, "Good !! in that case you need to get you Danish perfect since all bachelors courses here are given local language. For that we would be assigning a home tutor for you guys, okay ??"

"Why a tutor BIL, we can learn online"

"You will learn online and I have grown horns on my head."

"Really I can't see"

"Guys stop it!! Manik Ms Martha taught us too, she's greats, you'll love her", Myra spoke interjecting before the conversation between the two grownups take a childish turn.

Just then, Nandini got a call from Chachi and she excused herself.

"Manik, listen to me, there is something important I need to speak to you about"

"Yes Di I am all ears but before that do you know any good schools in science in here ??"

"Yes why ??"

"For Nandini"

"Wait you don't want her to continue her music?", asked a baffled Kartikeya

"No no, it's just that I think she is more interested in science..You know there is this space research institute on our way to hospital and whenever we cross that Nandini looks at it with a longing expression which is weird because she is always excited everytime she is next to telescope."

"That is because her parents were astrophysicists...two space scientists who fell in love..!!"

"How do you know ?"

"Guruma told me once, in fact this is what I wanted to speak with you about, glad we are on the same page.. Nandini loved stars, in fact as a kid she also wanted to be an astrophysicist just like her parents but then after her parent's death, she developed this hatred for the stars, space and anything connected to them. She chose music. Though did not leave science, she lost the passion to do something big with it. But now, courtesy you, she's started loving them once again, maybe she can think of continuing with space science"

"But di, yes she has started loving stars but that doesn't explain the longing. It resembles something shattering"

"Her being an astrophysicist was her Appa's dream Manik which got shattered after his death"

"Dammit !! Di I would speak with Nandini about it !!"

"Speak to me about what ?" Nandini asked as she entered back in the room after finishing the call

"Hey you are back, what did chachi say?? How's Rishabh ?"

"Nice try Manik !! Answering your question everyone's fine and Jijs I have feeling that Amms would agree to send Rishabh for the treatment...and now coming back to my question, Speak to me about what?"

"Hold on Rishabh, treatment what's going on !!"

"Nothing Manik, Nandini told me about her brother's speech problem and I have friend here who is a renowned speech therapist so I had asked her if she could convince her family to send Rishabh here for treatment"

"Wohah...Champ would stay with us...Great"

"Got all your answers Manik, now will give me answers !!", Nandini asked irritated

"Nandini I think you should give science a chance !!"

"As in"

"As in we think you should do you bachelors in Science and give your Appa's dream a chance to be a reality"

"Manik !!"

"I know it might sound difficult for you as of now, but deep down you also know that this is what you always wanted to do. Music, no matter how integral it is, will always be an escape"

"It is difficult Manik"

"Ok do it for me !!"

"For you"

"You remember I broke your Appa's pen, something that was so important to him, I can't bring that back but I can definitely help you achieve his dream"

"How do you know about Appa's dream ?"

"Di told me and I am so glad that she did !!"

"But Manik I lost touch, I don't think I will be able to clear the entrances"

"Then you can regain the touch Nandu, I'll give you my science books, they are in the storeroom , we'll get them first thing tomorrow morning okay", Kartikeya spoke

"It is sorted then, Manik would make music, nandini would refresh science knowledge and together they would learn Danish...Everyone okay with the idea"

"Yes Ma'am"

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During hardships, the first thing we often tend to let go is our dreams but then there would still be someone who would hold on to that dream like the last last leaf and never let that dry out; that someone is FAMILY

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A few days later,

"Di where is BIL, haven't seen him since morning ?", asked Manik as he was busy munching the granola bar, an indulgence the foodie in him recently discovered.

"Oh he has gone out for some work, anything urgent..!!", replied Myra

Myra's gloomy and withdrawn tone of reply caught Manik's attention. He looked at his sister who was seated right across him and found her lost in her thoughts. He got up from his seat and sat next to her. Holding her hands in his, he spoke, "Di is everything okay...You seem to be a little lost..!!"

Myra came out of her thoughts and replied, " Yes All good...I was just wondering if Kari had his lunch..??"

"Why don't you call him and ask..?? Wait let me call him..!!",Without waiting for Myra's reply, Manik dialed Kartikeya's number but to his surprise the phone rang on the side table next to him.

"BIL has left his phone here..??", Manik asked confused.

"Yes which is why I can't call him..!!", to avoid any more interrogations, Myra quickly got up and tried moving to the kitchen but Manik held her hand to stop her in the middle

"Di what are you hiding..?? Is BIL okay..?? Is everything okay between both of you..?? Kya hua hain..??"

Myra took a deep breath and turned around, "Relax Manik there is nothing wrong...!! He is in a meeting and he forgot his phone at home, that's it..Give you CID brain a rest for a while..!!"

"Today is Sunday and BIL has this strict policy of not working on weekends...Ok may be just may be if the client is someone very important he might but wait this is not India and I know for a fact that in Europe people don't work on weekends... and on the top of it he left his phone at home as far as I know him, in case he's stranded on an island and there is just one thing that he can carry, he would choose his phone despite of chances of not finding any network there...that is how much he loves his phone which is currently lying abandoned on that side table...Hence the conclusion is, 'Kuch toh Gadbad hain'...Out with it now..!!", Manik spoke rolling his hand dramatically towards end.

"Man..!! You took the comment of being the CID very seriously"

"Di seriously tell me now or else I'll go to BIL's office and ask him directly...Wait that's better I should do that, I suppose", Manik spoke getting up

"Manik wait he is not in office, It is his brother's birthday today"

"BIL has a brother, he never told us...Oh so he has gone to meet him..!!"

"He can't meet him..his brother is no more...Kari spends this day alone at the orphanage he instituted years ago"

Myra's statement came as a shock for Manik as well as Nandini who had entered the main house just a while back.

Recovering from the shock, Nandini spoke, "What happened to his brother..??"

"I don't know much, Kari doesn't like talking about it.. All I know is Vinayaka, his brother, was autistic by birth.. He passed away in his teenage..!!"

"Must have been really hard for BIL", Manik remarked

"Must have been I suppose...This part of Kari's life is not known to me or to anyone else...All I have figured out in all these years is that he misses his brother a lot...In fact the orphanage I am talking about is also for the autistic patients...Every year, Kari spends this day and Vinayaka's death anniversary in the orphanage with the autistic patients."

"You've never accompanied him..??", Nandini asked

"He never asked me too..Though at times I wished to accompany him but then refrained myself...I guess he just wishes to be alone around this time and I just let it be the way he wants...I don't wish to intrude in his personal space", replied a dejected Myra

"Di tell me something, when I came in here for the treatment, did you ask BIL to update you about my visits to the doctor?", this time Manik asked

"No I didn't...but I was concerned..I wanted to know however may be because my anger overruled every other emotion I never asked!!"

"But he still shared the details with you...He too could have avoided that thinking you never asked and in fact he could have stayed aloof from us thinking he is intruding our personal space.. Couldn't he..??"

"Manik, Kari na he always understands what I want, he knew I would be worried though I never showed it on my face and so he filled me in with the treatment details... He knew though I stayed detached yet I wanted you both to feel comfortable here and may be that is why he took the lead...But why are we discussing this now, it is all in the past..!!"

"Di all I am trying to say is that just like you let me him be, he could have just let it be in our case as well but he didn't..", Myra looked at him confused, "Okay think about this, did you ever willingly spoke about our family troubles with him, like out of your choice and not because he made an effort to know..??"

"No it was always him, he never left my side until I spill out what troubled me...", just then a realization hit Myra, "Damn it, why didn't I think of it before..?? May be Kari wished to share it with me but never actually did, probably because I never asked..!!"

"Oh my Holy Lord..!! Finally like finally a Eureka moment Di..!!"

"Very funny Manik...Should I laugh at it but wait I didn't find it funny so sorry your attempt to Joke failed miserably..", Myra remarked

"Ok guys cut it out", Nandini spoke cutting them off in the middle of the banter, " I think we have already wasted a lot of time, let's rush to the orphanage"

As if waiting on the cue, in about ten minutes Manik and Myra occupied the front seat of the car while Nandini settled down on the back seat.

"Kartikeya Sahni, no more mourning in solitude..I am coming", Myra spoke in her head as she turned the keys to ignite the engine.

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The open area at the extreme right wing of the "Laughing Pearls Orphange" was surrounded with fresh blooming flowers with a tombstone in the middle right next to which sat a figure on the mud desperately trying to scribble down a few words which the tears from his eyes seem to wash away. Kartikeya Sahni, a man loved by all, a man whose smile and undying spirit was infectious of highest degree with the recent infected souls being Manik and Nandini ; today sat there as a lifeless corpse of sadness, grief and guilt.

Myra made her way to him with very slow steps and slided down on the floor next to him. She took the paper Kartikeya was busy scribbling. She tried reading through the lines with words half dissolved in tears.

"नींद ना जाने क्यों आज आँखों को अलविदा कह गई,

जाने क्यूँ याद आई ज़िंदगी में जो कमी रह गई

शोहरत के मुकाम पर जो मिला सरहाया उसने मेरे हासिल-ए-बुलंदी को,

कैसे दिखायें उन्हें वो कसक जो दिल की दिल में दबी रह गई

अलहदा हुई उन ख्वाइशों को आज जब दिल ने दोहराया,

सीली-सीली दिवारों के जैसे मेरी पलकों पे थोड़ी नमी रह गई"

"Neend na jaane kyun aaj aankhin ko alvida keh gayi,

Na jaane kyun yaad aayi zindagi mein jo kami reh gayi

Shohrat ke makaam par jo mila, sarhaya usne meri haasil –e-bulandi ko,

Kaise dikahye unhe woh kasak jo dil ki dil mein dabi reh gayi

Alhada hui un khwaishon ko aaj jab dil ne dohraya,

Seeli Seeli diwaron jaise meri palkon pe thodi name reh gayi"

She turned it around only to see Vinayaka's picture. A sweet chubby little boy, pink face, eyes slightly opened, may be it was a picture of the time close to his birth, Myra thought. Her gaze shifted to the side of the picture where the little baby used his fists to firmly hold on a finger.

"It is my finger Veenu is trying to hold on too, the first time I saw him after he was born", Myra looked at Kartikeya and held his hands gesturing him to continue, "His tiny fingers curled around my pinky finger. I remember he had this strange expression in his eyes which were probably busy in registering the surroundings. His eyes had warmth in them and his legs, Myra, he kicked his legs looking for that resistance they are used to I guess, but finding nothing but air and would smile everytime he did so. You know when my friends at school used to tell me how scared they were to pick up their younger sibling, I used to laugh it off saying they are just exaggerating but when I saw him, though I knew I could pick him up if I wanted to, he was my baby brother, but I was scared to break him." Kartikeya got up and started watering the plants around the tombstone

"He was three when we realized that he was a special child and that was the exact time when all the hell broke loose. My parents they started giving him special attention and neglecting me. They never explained it to me why he needed the attention. They just started ignoring me and I vented out all the anger of their ignorance on the poor kid. He was very attached to me but I started rebuking his advances. My hatred for him grew when my parents shifted to a different country for his treatment leaving me alone with my grandparents. Did they not love me enough ? Did my existence matter even a bit ? They loved him more, they loved me less and that made me hate him. I didn't realize the crime I was committing until one day I got the news that he is no more. I was numb Myra, I remember that day very clearly. For a few seconds I was numb and lifeless, no words but the tears made their way through. The mourning was supposedly dignified for everyone in family was aware that this day would come soon and they were probably prepared accordingly, but I cried like a shameless child, noisily with sobs chocking every now and then. That day I realized what I lost courtesy my anger, agony and hatred, my baby brother, who was laying lifeless right in front of me. Myra the reason I wanted you to make things alright with Manik had a lot to do with my past. I saw me in you Myra and I was scared. I loved Veenu but could never say that to him, you too love Manik and never really have said that to him..have you..?? Do it Myra...say it as soon as you can, you atleast have you brother right next to you while mine is there high up in the stars. I can't hug him even if I wish too but you can, don't miss out on the opportunity..Please don't ..!!", Kartikeya spoke bursting into tears right at that instant.

It was more than crying, it was the offspring of desolate sobbing that comes from a person drained of all hope. He sank to his knees at the tiny tombstone, not caring for the damp mud that dirtied his pants. The pain that flowed from him was as palpable as the frigid fall wind and the only person by his side was his wife, Myra, struggling to keep her tears silent, looking up to the skies and heaven beyond.

"Kari listen to me, look up", she held his face directing it to the skies, "Look Veenu is safe up there, comfortable and warm. Don't look down for then you would only imagine him cold in a box, bereft of your cuddles and goodnight kisses. He is there watching you and loving you, trust me had he been alive he would have wiped out those tears in your eyes by himself but then he is in a better place now, You said na he loved you the most, you were wrong, he loves you the most Kari and you need to know it just like you love him the most and he knows it"

"How do you know he loves me ?"

"Because of this", she took out a drawing book, "Dadi gave it to me, Veenu loved drawing...no wait he loved drawing images of him and his brother...You don't believe me do you..?? ..Wait I'll show you", she started flipping the pages of the drawing book, "This one, 'Me and Karu bhaiya drinking milk', next 'Me and Karu bhaiya playing cricket' or wait this one my favourite, 'Me and Karu bhaiya cycling' where his darling Karu Bhaiya had fallen down on him bum",Myra laughed out loud while Kartikeya snatched the drawing book from her

"He loved me..?? He missed me Myra..?? How come I never got hold of this book??"

"Probably because you were too busy diving and drowning in the pool of guilt. Veenu was a kid Kari and you know the most beautiful thing with kids, especially the ones with a condition similar to Veenu is that they rarely get attached with someone and once they do, it stays for a lifetime...and so did your brother's love for you...!! And your parents, don't hate them Kari...they were just looking out for their child, at least they didn't spoil his life just as my parents did with Manik or left you alone in a hostel like mine did with me...You had your grandparents with you or should I say the coolest grandparents ever"

"I don't hate them Myra...not now at least..In fact after veenu left us, I tried bridging in the gap but then their life revolved around him for more than ten years and void was too deep to be filled...!!"

"But there I have one complaint against your parents.."

"What ??"

"Why have they kept such complicated names for their children, I mean Kartikeya..Vinayaka...such long names and so difficult to remember"

"Oh okay..By the way I love my name and what do you think they should have kept it like your parents, Manik and Myra"

"Oh at least they did one thing right..!!"

"Jokes apart, think about what I said Myra"

Kartikeya walked about leaving Myra alone with her thoughts. Myra's went down the memory lane the day when Manik was born

Myra was six years old, her father placed Manik in her lap and she instantly turned protective of and in love with the little soul. She used to be envious of her dad whom she saw walking around the room to put Manik to sleep for she was too young to carry him and roam around and Manik wouldn't sleep otherwise. She wanted her brother all for herself which is why when she discovered that if she moved her leg in a rhythmic motion, Manik would go to sleep, she started putting her little brother to sleep releasing Srikant Malhotra from that duty

Lost in her thoughts, Myra heard a sound of a few musical instruments. She moved to the lawn only to see Manik and Nandini surrounded by the kids of the orphanage while Kartikeya recorded the video on the phone.

Dabi dabi si hansi honthon pe phansi hai

Gudgudi kar rahi hawa

Ohhh... halla macha rahi hai pagal si khwaishein

Khushiyon ki mili hai wajah

Kuch hai junoon sa, Kuch paagalpan hai

Sau baatein karta ye buddhu sa mann hai

Myra's eyes were locked at Manik as she recalled past events

School, the place Myra couldn't wait to go to had then become the place she couldn't wait to get out from since she had her little brother waiting for her at home. Though kids generally shared the school day events with their parents, Myra used to do that with Manik for their parents never had the time to listen. Myra had Manik and Manik had Myra, they were each other's world.

She recalled the first time she fought with her parents, not because they were sending her to boarding but because they were separating her from her brother. Six year old Manik was too naive to understand why his sister clutched on to him and cried for those nights but he did made sure that he would wipe out every single tear his sister would cry out. On the day she was leaving for the boarding, she instructed Manik to take care of himself when he innocently asked, "But di you would be back after school, don't worry I will behave in case you get late"; "Maan my new school is too far away from here I would take some time to come back, till then take care". Manik nodded and cried for the first time realizing that he wouldn't get to see his sister for somedays as eversince he was born, she never left his sight.

Manik looked at his sister lost in her thoughts. He tapped her shoulder to gain her attention making Myra smile as his hands were always a medium for him to demand his sister's attention, all he had to do was to hit her with them, though intensity differed with respect to the duration she had ignored him for

Karne de khwaabon ko badmashiyaan

Chalne de nazron ki manmaniyan

Dhoondhe chalo kuch thikane naye

Hone de pagli-pagli si nadaaniyaan

Hosh mein rehna hai kyun

Rehne se hoga kya

Behoshiyon mein hai maza

Oo.. bachkaani harkatein jo hoti hain hone de

Khushiyon ki mili hai wajah

Kuch hai junoon sa, Kuch paagalpan hai

Sau baatein karta ye buddhu sa mann hai

As if sending Myra away wasn't enough, her parents sent Manik to a boarding too. She remember requesting her parents to let her stay with Manik in the same boarding for the school he was being sent to was co-ed unlike hers but they brushed off her requests citing safety as the reason. Later with Trilok's fiasco she just wondered how safe the school was. Distance played an important role and instead of getting fonder they turned farther and farther away from each other. But fate had them together this time around, would she let it go?

Mausam ne bhi ki hai kuch koshishein

Hone lagi dekho ye baarishien

Sar pe chadha hai yeh kaisa asar

Daude raftaar mein dil ki sab dhadkanein

Dhun koi chal rahi hai, kaano mein dheeme se

Roshan hai zyada yeh subah

Oo.. halchal jo ho rahi hai seene mein hone de

Khushiyon ki mili hai wajah..

Myra had her answer as soon as Manik finished his singing. Moving closer to him, she hugged him as tightly as she could and spoke

"I love Maan...Missed you little brother"

Being shocked and stumped was an understatement at that moment but Manik was wise enough to know that he had to act right at that moment to ensure that all doors of misunderstandings are closed forever and he did

"I love you too Di", replied a visibly overwhelmed Manik.

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Some people always hold permanent apartment in your heart and mind, all they need is the key to unlock it, pull you out of your miseries and stay there forever, they are FAMILY

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Manik lied down on his sister's lap as she lovingly caressed his hairs while Nandini and Kartikeya sat down in the lawn leaving the siblings alone. They spoke about a lot of things, for instance how Harshad, Cabir, Dhruv, Alya and Mukti became his friends in that sequence and how they were slowly leaving him in the same order one by one at times due to their mistakes, or god's will or their insecurities. Currently he was in touch only with Alya and Mukti who email or message him sometimes.

He told Myra about Neyonika and Harshad leaving her aghast and appalled. He told her how unlike the popular belief he wasn't disgusted by the fact that she was in a relationship with a younger guy but what angered and hurt him was her confession that she did that to hurt him and his pride. Manik was pretty upset post the revelation and Myra knew too much stress was injurious to her little brother's health. She wiped off his tears and planted a kiss on his forehead. She crossed his eyelids signaling him to sleep while she gently ran down her fingers from his forehead to his mane.

Once asleep, she carefully placed Manik's head on the pillow and called Nandini to stay with him. Emotions got better of her as she ran out of the room as soon as Nandini entered and rushed to Kartikeya only to startle him by hugging him with full force.

"Myra what wrong ?"

"She is devil Kari...I don't want to be like her"

"Like whom"

"Neyonika...I don't want to be like her, but I am afraid what if I turn out to be her...Maan would be devastated"

"What makes you think you would turn out to be her ?"

"I have her genes Kari"

"Having her genes would only make hot and irresistible, which you are but your values are not imparted by her but by the lessons that life taught you, and your values define your character not your genes..So relax"

"Did you just called her, my birth mother, hot and irresistible"

"No I called YOU hot and irresistible"

"Whatever, thank you for everything"

"Anytime wifey"

Meanwhile in the room, Manik's sleep broke and he saw Nandini had not slept yet. Pulling her close to himself,

"It all feels like a dream"

"It is real Manik, all of it is real"

"I was too scared to even say a HI to her a few months back and today I shared the darkest secret about Neyonika with her. It was your hope that won once again Nandini. Thank you for everything, Good night Nandini"

"Good night Manik"

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When you doubt yourself, there's always someone who believes in you, When you are scared to walk forward, there is always someone to take that step for you, that someone is FAMILY

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That's it for today,

You can now stay in touch with me on instagram and twitter, my user name on both platforms is "akriti_mishti"

Take care and Stay blessed

Cheers..!!