"Listen! I don't have any time to keep up with the greetings crap, so suck it up. Dad suffered a heart attack last night and was admitted immediately, he was declared dead this morning. So you need to be home in a couple of hours."

These brief words on the phone in a crude, bored voice of Inaya : Her sister, scratch it! Step sister left Nandini somewhat baffled.
 
 
Well, the news certainly didn't shook up the ground beneath her feet. It may appear insensitive to others that her father died in a heart attack and she wasn't wailing out loud, but to her it didn't.

The man who was just her father for name sake and nothing else, she surely won't cry her eyes out for him.
 
 
"You alright, Boo?", A warm hand was pressed to her shoulder and Nandini turned to look at her smiling.

Mukti smiled at her, warmly which reached up to her whiskey coloured eyes.

"Yeah! I'm fine, It's just that I need to rush back home. Dad passed away this morning." Nandini replied, her brown eyes sober.

"I'm so sorry to hear about it.", Mukti replied, apologetically.

"It's okay. No worries really! ", Nandini smiled at her best friend and held her hand.

To sum it up, Mukti was the ONLY best friend Nandini had and both of them were happily satisfied with it. They'd striked off a friendship after a week Nandini had joined University.

Mukti was hell lot talkative than Nandini could be and thousand folds more beautiful than her.

Whiskey colored eyes that were bewitching, Creamy Skintone with some gorgeous features and striking cheek bones complimented stunningly height with a good height and a slender body. No wonder guys used to swoon on Mukti Malhotra!

But all this never affected Nandini for Mukti loved and adored her like a sister, that one relation which she never knew what it felt like unless Mukti came into her life.

She was constantly switching her roles for Nandini, best friend once, sitting on her head like a mom next and third like her sister. Sharing her best friend's deepest fears, insecurities, happiness, tears and secrets.

"But I guess I have to pack.", Nandini replied, smiling a bit and she could just make out her friend's fallen face cause both of them, rather Mukti had planned to spend their holidays together at her home. Their final year exams had just finished and it was the holiday season just ushering in.

But knowing how Mukti was, Nandini wasn't surprised when she turned cheerful the next moment and helped her in packing her stuff. Finishing up in an hour, Nandini gave Mukti a warm hug muttering a quick sorry for spoiling all their holiday plans.

"It's okay. Your family needs you the most now!", Mukti smiled at her and Nandini let out a sigh. Her family needed anything but her.

"When will you be leaving?", Nandini asked as she picked up her luggage and strode out of the front door.

"Tomorrow afternoon. Manik Bhai will be here to pick me up", Mukti spoke up, happily and sure enough Nandini didn't miss the gleam in her beautiful eyes as she mentioned her brother.

"That's great! Tell him I said Hi! ", Nandini spoke up as she waved to a taxi and it stopped, it's tyres screeching onto the pavement.

"Do call me anytime, If you need anything!", Mukti gave her friend another warm hug and Nandini got in as the kind taxi driver hauled her luggage in the bootspace.

Nandini waved Mukti as the vehicle sped off towards the Michigan Airport.

Streets sped through the window as Nandini found herself loosing to her memories.

3 years ago, she had moved to Michigan when she got admission into the prestigious Michigan University after qualifying the written test and the gruelling rounds of interviews. The college of course provided Hostel but after a week, Nandini gave that up as it required sharing rooms with guys too and she was so not comfortable with that.

The hostel warden, Mrs Smith a very kind plump lady had then helped her to find this place very near to the university grounds. It was here where she had met Mukti and it had thoroughly surprised her that she had rented this place for the very same reason as her for Mukti was no less than a stunner.

What followed was their beautiful bond of friendship!

The halt of the taxi at the airport, broke her reverie. Paying the driver, she wheeled her luggage into the airport. The next flight to Virginia was in 2 hours, That works.

Buying herself a ticket and a book, Nandini sat down on one of chairs provided in the airport lobby which was filled with soft murmurs.

People seldom asked her that why she decided to enroll in Michigan University when Virginia boasted of some great universities and colleges. She would answer them with everyone's patent lines that It was her dream to get into this university when the reality was totally opposite.

She just wanted to get away from her family as far as possible! Well, if it could be called hers.

Nandini Murthy didn't quite remember her mother for she was just 4 yrs old when she died of Cancer.

Though people rather relatives rather told her that she had inherited those gorgeous honey brown doe shaped eyes from her mother, who looked exactly the same in her young years like she does now.

Since then, she had always seen her father on a roll in a mission to expand her business while she was taken care of by numerous maids and midwives.

He never cared that his little daughter perhaps needed his time and attention.

And exactly, 2 years later he bombarded his second marriage to a woman named Reema on her under the context of her care.

Irony no? The man who didn't cared about her, all of a sudden marries for the second time for her.

No! He didn't do it for her. He did it because he wanted to.

The announcement for the flight to Virginia was made as her thoughts were interrupted again as she got up and walked away to complete the tiring procedures.

An hour later, she was settled in her seat comfortably. Nandini tried reading the book, she brought from the bookstore but no use. It was as if the death of her father had uncapped all of the thoughts she had been holding inside her.

Almost at once she turned stubborn, irritated and angry as a child which she never was.

She remembered Reema complaining to her father, about it and he had decided to send her away to a boarding school.

Nandini remembered being the most happy when she was sent away unlike the other kids.

She seldom visited home on her holidays and her father didn't even care about it. It just grew distant after Reema gave birth to a daughter Inaya, who was an exact copy of her mother. Hell Lotta sweet to others on the outside and spewed venom on the inside.

They never got along well, and her father was too much into his new family to notice that she didn't visit home even on holidays.

That's why she grabbed the perfect opportunity to move out when she was made it through the written test level.

Even in these 3 years, Nandini wasn't exactly chummy with them and here she received a call this morning about his death. And exactly why should she be upset about his death? She never was, she never will. If that made her evil, then so be it.

New York

"I just can't believe this Manik! You're saying all of this to me, solely because I called your mother's midwife a servant? I don't get what's inappropriate in that?", Tisha snapped, unbelievably.

"You dare not use that word for her, Again! ", Manik hissed angrily at the redhead.

"She has been more than a mother to me and Mukti and you just can't get away insulting her like that", He added, his walnut orbs furious.

"Manik Baba, rehne dijiye.. ", Pallavi tried speaking up only to be shushed by Manik.

"Daima aap beech mein nahi bolengi. ", He replied firmly and that was enough to make her quiet.

"Woah! So now you're going to give me a second priority in front of her?!", Tisha replied, folding her arms.

"It's not about priorities Tisha, it's about respect. You know what? I thought that whatever we had between us, was serious and maybe this would go a long way.

For the first time, in my life of 31 years I thought that this relationship would perhaps end up in a bond but you already broke up half of it when you suggested me to move in knowing well, that I don't believe in live in relationships rather in commitment! ", Manik spoke up, firmly.

"And now you insult my relations in front of me, I just don't even want to think what you'd do in future. So yeah, why don't you just get out because I'm breaking up with you! ", He added.

"You're breaking up with me, because of THIS woman?", Tisha snapped, venomously.

"Nah! I'm breaking up with you because you don't deserve my time, attention or love. Now if you'll please get out! ", Manik replied with a smile.

Tisha huffed in anger and walked out stomping her feet as her Jimmy Choo heels clicked into the expensive marble floor.

Manik sighed as he closed the door behind her, rubbing his eyes tired.

"Manik Baba, aapne yeh theek nahi kiya. I know exactly how serious you were about her!", Pallavi spoke up finally.

"Daima Maine aapse pehle bhi kahaa hai, aapki izzat mere liye sabse important hai.", Manik replied as he held the kind old woman's hand. "Maine kabhi apne mom dad ko nahi dekha, par hamesha unka aks aap mein dekha hai. Aapne jo mere aur Mukti ke liye kiya hai woh shayad koi humara apna bhi nahi karta!

Isliye jab hum dono aapko Maa ka darja dete hain toh jo iss ghar mein aayega usse bhi dena hoga. Warna uske liye iss Ghar mein koi jagah nahi.", Manik replied with a charming smile as Pallavi ran her fingers through his hair lovingly.

"Mujhe Kabhi iss baat ka koi afsos nahi raha ki meri aulaad nahi hai. Tum dono mere bacche ho.", Pallavi replied lovingly, as her eyes gleamed with unshed moisture as Manik kissed her hands.

"Ek baat bolun? Accha hua jo tune isse shaadi nahi ki. Baal dekhein hain iske? Ekdum Laal! Tum dono ke bacchon ke bhi laal baal hote phir. Pallavi added, cutely disapproving making Manik laugh.

"Tu naa mujhe ek acchi si Bahu laa de. Khoobsurat, Shaant, Masoom. Jiski hasee se poora ghar bhar jaaye aur jiski chudiyoon aur paayal ki meethi aawaz din bhar goonje." She spoke up, happily.

"Daima, mujhe nahi lagta ki aap jaisi ladki chahti hain waisi New York mein milegi aur agar mil jaye, toh please ek baar mujhe uski shakal zarur dikha dijiyega!" Manik chuckled at Pallavi's description for an ideal daughter in law.

"Haye! Agar aisi ladki mil jaye naa? Toh aaj hi main teri shaadi karwa doon uske saath!" Pallavi added, cutely making Manik roll his eyes at her.

Manik Malhotra, The ace professional photographer who had have the opportunities to work with with the known fashion magazines and houses. Marie Claire, Vouge, Verve, Victoria's Secret, Bluebella, Versace to name a few.

His Fashion Photography was his added quality though his heart was at nature, wildlife photography having done numerous campaigns for Discovery and National Geographic.

He had won several accolades and awards for his work and was a famous name in the fashion circle.

It was granted with such fame came female attention and Manik was actually blessed with Breathtakingly Good Looks, Great Height and That Rugged Chiselled Body on whom the models swooned and wouldn't mind stripping at the back of the camera for him too.

His friends joked that instead of a photographer, he should've been a model.

He had have some girlfriends. Models specifically but nothing serious and nor had he guided them to his bedroom. Though it can't be said the same about his girlfriends but Manik liked keeping everything in a limit.

But don't consider him celibate please, he had have his share of kisses and touching but nothing beyond that.

A Day Later

"Bhai!" Mukti squealed happily as she flung herself into her brother's arms. Manik smiled as he hugged his little sister.

"How have you been? How did your exams go?" Manik asked her as they broke the hug.

"I've been good! Exams were great but tiring." Mukti sighed.

"I know how to set that right up! Here, take my card and go up for a shopping spree tomorrow." Manik spoke as he took out his wallet and handed her his credit card.

"But Bhai? I have balance in mine." Mukti tried to protest.

"Toh? I'll let you pay? It's decided, that you're taking my card." Manik ended the discussion as he picked up her luggage.

Mukti shook her head. It has always been that way, Manik was hell protective for his sister and very loving. All it took for Mukti was to sneeze and Manik would be at her doorstep.

But guess, it was all for the fact that after their parents accident it was just the two of them to look after each other.

"You said, your friend would be coming too? I don't see her luggage." Manik spoke, breaking her thoughts.

"Yeah! About that, she couldn't be with us. Her father expired." Mukti explained.

"Oh. That's sad indeed." Manik added apologetically.

"It is. She's had a hard life all thanks to her family and now with her dad gone, her step mum and that ghastly step sister will make her life hell." Mukti replied, bitterly.

"Anyways, how's that redhead of yours?" She added.

"Tisha you mean?" Manik chuckled taking a sharp turn of his Mercedes.

"Well, we broke up!" He added, putting on his Raybans.

"Really?" Mukti tried to sound sympathetic but Manik knew her too well. His sister didn't like her since day 1 and would be dancing in joy on the insides.

Manik chuckled again and told her the whole story.

"What a bitch! I'm so glad you broke up with her Bhai, you deserve a better woman. I mean how exactly could she misbehave with Daima knowing, she's no less than a mother to us!" Mukti replied, infuriated.

"Well, she made it easy for me. I was going to rethink about our relationship after she handed me the nuptial agreement and the live in option. " Manik answered.

"Nuptial Agreement? That's humiliating Bhai. " Mukti spoke up.

"And, It was stated that she has a strange obsession with BDSM along with a quality of dominance. "

"That's total bullshit! I'm so so thankful that you broke up with that psycho!" Mukti held her brother's arm.

"I had to. I just can't be that submissive." He replied.

"I'm so sure, you'll get a healthy relationship soon. " Mukti smiled up at him, and he did reciprocate.

A Week Later

The funeral had passed along quite peacefully and people had turned up in huge numbers. Seems like people really liked her father.

"What Irony!" Nandini thought. The man who was so unpartial and caring on the outside was blindly partial towards his own daughter. How would the people who turned up at the funeral praising the man would react knowing what he did to her!

Reema and Inaya had been the same.

Cold. Taunting. Bitter.

During the funeral, she had seen lawyers lining down the house. Guess her father's property had to be divided. Well, good for them. She never had any interest in his money or used any of it.

She had scholarships to get her through schools and colleges. For extra money, she worked jobs apart from studying. She was what can be called very self made and self respecting.

Folding her clothes neatly, she kept them in her bag. She had have enough of this drama, and with the funeral being over she decided to spend the rest of her holidays with Mukti.

Nandini heard footsteps coming in and didn't even bother to look back because she knew who was it, Reema.

"Where do you think, you're going?" Her sharp tone, made Nandini flinch in anger.

"To a friend's." She didn't bother to look back.

"We aren't done yet." Reema crossed her arms.

"You needed me for Funeral. That's done, I'm out of here now!" She spoke up zipping up her bag.

"You would leave this house, only when you're married!" Reema spoke up.

Nandini turned around, thinking that she might've heard her wrong.

"What?" She spoke up, narrowing her eyes.

Reema looked at her with a smug smile, her mean grey eyes twinkling.

"You heard me right. Your dad wanted you to get married as soon as possible. That was his last wish and surely, you don't want to overrule that!" She added.

"You're not getting me by playing that emotional blackmailing card Reema! I'm done with you all." Nandini snapped firmly, and got back to her packing.

"Contrary to your belief, your dad did care a lot about you. And being the eldest born he wanted you to settle down first!" Reema spoke up, slowly yet firmly.

"Yeah Right! Why don't you get Inaya married Reema? By the rate she's sleeping around with men, I won't be surprised if she announces that she's pregnant by the end of the year." Nandini spoke, bitterly.

"What I've said is final, and I'm finding out a suitable match from today itself." Reema spoke up, her voice steely.

"Too bad, I'm not a little girl now!" Nandini snapped as she picked up her bag and tried to walk past her but Reema pushed her so hard that she fell down on the ground and hit her head on the bedstand.

Nandini winced in pain as blood oozed out from her cut.

"You rotten piece of crap! You've been nothing except a headache for all my life. Now you'll do as I order! You're getting married in just 2 weeks! That's it!" Reema spewed venom in every word of hers and walked out bolting the door from outside.

"Reema you aren't getting this from me! YOU HEAR THAT! Open up the damn door and I'll show you what's worth" Nandini screamed as she banged the door.

××××××××××××

For my 5K FAM♥

A small token of Love from my side for all the adulation and support you guys have bestowed me with.
Its not even been an year and we are this much huge family!

Thank you for always being there with me. I being a big time introvert don't interact much with y'all, but if at anytime you need someone, then you can always count on me! If not a great advisor but I'd definitely be a good listener.

For y'all, A short story, that maybe based on a cliche topic, but .... in my style!

•10-12 part short story •
  
 

~ A Love Saga ~

Do lemme know your thoughts on Nandini and Manik's lives.

Vote, Comment, support, till then Tata!

And I love y'all♥