Saturday, Malhotra Office

Saturday was a half day and Nandu wanted to have a casual meeting with all her staff members. Raj was at Thakkar Industries, for their project.

Conference Room

Nandu starts the meeting and explains about the ongoing projects in the company and assigns the work respectively for the Singhania's project which will start in some days.

Nandu: Aman, I need you to submit the rough ideas by monday. You can take the help of anyone you want. Is that clear?

Aman(stuttered): Ma'am...I..have..

Nandu: Speak up. I don't have the whole day for you.

Aman: Why are we doing the Singhania's project when we already are doing the Thakkar's one.

Manik(backing him): Isn't that the reason why we have postponed the Dhawan's project? So as not to overburden ourselves.

Nandu: That's the reason why we are dividing the work people and also because Singhania's project is a small one whereas Dhawan's is huge. I am working on the Thakkar's project. And Manik will assist me. I will assign people for the same, if I need anyone else. Meanwhile, Aman will lead the Singhania's project. And Mr. Malhotra himself wants to supervise it. He is busy with finalizing the Thakkar's project. After that, he wants to concentrate on this. Is that clear now? Aman?

Aman: Yes, ma'am. I will..do..my..best.

Nandu: I am expecting the best, Aman. And please stop stammering everytime you talk to me. If you need any help, for any doubts, you can contact Manik. Manik, fine?

Manik nods with a yes. They discuss some other points before dispersing.

After the meeting, she asks the two new employees to stay back who have joined recently in place of the girls who have been fired a few days back. Manik was there gathering the files and the laptop.

Nandu: Ms. Mehta, is the work done?

Ms. Mehta: Yes, ma'am. I have already mailed you.

Nandu: Good. I will go through it. You may leave.

Nandu: Ms. Sharma, how is the progress in tallying the accounts going on?

Ms. Sharma: Ma'am, I am sorry. I couldn't able to finish it. I need some more time.

Nandu: Ms. Sharma, let's be practical. It's not even a week since you have joined the company. I don't expect you to understand all the files in accounts section just in a blink. But I need to see the progress. Get the file, you are working on, to my cabin.

Ms. Sharma: Yes, ma'am.

She leaves, leaving only Manik and Nandini behind. Nandu, being tired, sat on a chair and was drinking water when Manik walks up to her and kisses her head.

Manik(caressing her hair): Stop stressing yourself.

Nandu(chuckles): Kaam phir kaise hoga, Malhotra?

Manik: Kaam ho jayega. Kaam karte karte tum bimar na pad jao.

Nandu: Tum ho na, to take care of me.

Manik(smiled widely): I am. Always.

She pecks his cheek and they leave for her cabin. Nandu was discussing some points with Manik when the girl comes in with her file.

Ms. Sharma: Ma'am, the file.

Nandu takes the file and goes through it. She gets impressed with her progress.

Nandu: That's some good amount of work you have done, Ms. Sharma. (Pointing towards Manik) Ms. Sharma, meet Manik, my assistant. He have been working on these things for some time so has some very good knowledge on this. If you are stuck up somewhere, you can go to him and he will help you.

Ms. Sharma: Yes, ma'am.

She leaves nodding.

Manik: Tumhe darr nahi lagta kya?

Nandu: darr? Kis liye?

Manik: Tum mujhe akele ek nayi ladki ke saath chod rahi ho and she is good looking. I mean, last time Rose ke saath jo hua, are you sure woh repeat nahi hoga?

Nandu: Are you scared of her falling for your looks, Malhotra?

Manik: Maine aise nahi bola. I am telling you the other way round.

Nandu: Even if she is good looking, I trust you. I know agar koi ladki tumhe propose bhi karle, tum woh baat bhi mujh se hi aakar share karne wale ho.

Manik: I have never seen you jealous. How can you manage it so well?

Nandu: Because I know you so well, idiot. I do feel jealous. I feel jealous of every girl you talk to. But then I remind myself how much you love me and woh jealousy dur chala jata hai.

Manik: Main bhi aise karu kya? Whenever I feel jealous. Trust me, I don't want to look like a sadist by feeling jealous of every boy you talk to.

Nandu bursts out laughing.

Nandu: I don't see you as a sadist, Manik. It amuses me. You usually handle everything peacefully but when it comes to me, you become all possessive. It's cute. But yeah, I love you so much that I haven't loved anyone till date. You are just all over my heart and there isn't anyone who is as close to me as you are. You can overcome your jealousy by remembering this.

Manik: How can you be so adorable?

Nandu(teases): Because, I am the girlfriend of Manik Malhotra. The most adorable human species on Earth.

Manik: You haven't even met everyone on the Earth.

Nandu: I don't need to, Malhotra. I have you.

He blushes and hugs her tight, pulling up from her chair. Nandu breaks the hug after sometime.

Manik(whines): Why can't I shift my table here, in your cabin? I can't stay away from you.

Nandu: Majnu, stop being so cute. Agar tum idhar shift karoge, your concentration will be totally on me. Aur hamari company dub jayegi.

Manik: Hamara pyar toh rahega na.

Nandu: Dad hum dono ko ghar se nikal denge.

Manik(cupping her face): Chalega. We will stay in some small house. In the woods. I will write books aur tum koi chota sa job kar lena. Job only because I don't want you to go all 'I am an independent woman. I can take care of myself' on me. Otherwise, I don't even want you to step out of your bed. Just order me, princess. Duniya ki saari khushiyan tumhare naam kar dunga.

Nandu: Aur dad ka kya? Unhe akela chod de?

Manik(holding her chin): Unhe bhi hamare saath le jate hai. Dad bhi tumhe itna pyaar karte hai so, even he will treat you as a princess. You, me and dad. Bas hum teen. In our small world. Aur koi nahi chahiye. We both will do anything to protect your smile. Your happiness.

Nandu: I am already happy, Manik. My world is small. You both are my world. You both already treat me as a princess. I don't need to go to woods for finding some more happiness when I am getting everything here. So now, it's work time. Jao, apna kaam karo.

Manik: What about shifting my cabin here? Tumne uska answer nahi diya.

Nandu: No.

Manik: Why?

Nandu: I have given you the reason, Malhotra. Now leave.

Manik stomps his feet and leaves making her burst out laughing.

Afternoon

It was time to leave the office and Nandu goes to Manik's cabin to ask him for going home.

Nandu: Manik, chale?

Manik: 10 minutes, Nandu. I need to transfer some files.

Nandu: Fine.

She takes a seat opposite to him and starts checking her emails when there was a knock. Manik asks the person to come in. It was Ms. Sharma. See gets startled seeing Nandini there.

Ms. Sharma: Ma'am, sorry, I didn't see you. I will come later.

Nandu: Carry on with your work, Ms. Sharma. You needn't postpone your works for me. Anyway, we aren't doing work here.

Nandini gets back to her mobile as Manik asks the girl to take a seat. She sits beside Nandini, hesitatingly. As she was having some doubts, she gets it clarified with Manik.

Ms. Sharma: Sir, there are two more files left. I will get it done by tomorrow. If I have some doubts, can I come to you after an hour? If you are free.

Nandu(engrossed in her mobile): Today is saturday, Ms. Sharma. Didn't anyone inform you?

Ms. Sharma: Sorry, ma'am. Inform about what?

Nandu: It's a half day today. And holiday on sunday. Isn't the office vacant yet? I thought everyone left already.

Ms. Sharma(embarrassed): I didn't know it was a half day. I thought they are out for lunch.

Nandu: It's okay. And tomorrow is sunday so spend time with your family instead of working. Itna bhi kaam mat karo that you will start hating your job after a month.

Ms. Sharma: Ma'am, my family live in my hometown. I stay in a women's hostel.

Nandu: Are you new to the city? Do you have any friends?

Ms. Sharma: Yes, I am new to the city. I just came a month ago. I have a few of my college friends here. They are helping me out.

Nandu: That's great. But if you need any help or if you are facing any problem, you can come to us. Either to me or Manik. Right?

Ms. Sharma: Sure, ma'am.

Nandu: Now, go. Have your lunch and stop working. I don't require these files by the end of next week. And the speed by which you are going, I believe you will complete it by then. So, relax. Have a happy weekend.

Ms. Sharma: Thank you, ma'am. Have a good day.

She turns to leave when Nandu stops her.

Nandu: Ms. Sharma, as you are done working on this file, when you are back to office on monday, get it signed by uncle.

Ms. Sharma: Uncle?

Nandu: Mr. Malhotra. The other CEO.

Ms. Sharma: Can I get it signed now?

Nandu: How? He isn't there in office, right?

Ms. Sharma(pointing towards Manik): Isn't he Mr. Malhotra?

Nandu and Manik burst out laughing.

Nandu: You are Kavya, right?

Ms. Sharma: Yes.

Nandu: Where were you in the meeting today? Kuch samajh aaya hai?

Kavya(looking down): No, ma'am. It was confusing.

Nandu: Acha, I am sorry. I shouldn't have confused you. Kavya, the CEO of the company is Raj Malhotra, Manik's dad. Manik is also the board of director of this company. So, phirse confuse mat ho jana.

She nods meekly before apologising and leaves.

Nandu: She is sweet.

Manik: How can you say?

Nandu: Manik, we can say by looking at the way they talk and behave. Haan agar aage change hoti hai then I don't know but for now she is sweet.

Manik: I am least interested in knowing them. All the girls, they change. Pehle ek jaise behave karti hai and once you speak politely or behave a bit friendly, they will just change. Either over friendly, or over sweet or over rude. I don't understand them.

Nandu: Phir mera kya?

Manik: I know you, Nandu. Since years. Tum, Mukti aur Navya alag ho. Baaki ka nahi pata.

Nandu: kya kare Malhotra, other girls can't resist your charm.

Manik: Why do you always tease me?

Nandu: Because you look cute.

Manik glares. As he is done, he collects his things and they leave. In the parking lot, Manik was about to drive when they were called by Kavya again who was there with her bike. She goes to Nandu.

Nandu: Hey.

Kavya: Ma'am, thank you so much.

Nandu: Thank you?

Kavya: Ma'am, it's my first job and I was too nervous. Over that everyone warned me against you saying you are strict and you can fire people in blink of an eye. I was scared but you are too sweet. It's been a month since I came to this city and no one spoke this friendly with me other than my friends.

Nandu: So, you are not nervous anymore working here, right?

Kavya: I am feeling a lot better after talking to you.

Nandu: Kavya, I don't fire people for no reason. Focus on your work without interfering in personal lives or unnecessary gossips, spreading rumors, you will have your job. If you have any doubt, you can ask me. Anytime. Stop being nervous.

Kavya: Thank you, ma'am. Have a good day. Good day, sir.

Manik smiles at her and they leave.

Inside the car

Manik: How can you spell your magic just in a single conversation.

Nandu: Manik, I just talked.

Manik: Exactly. And that's my girl. You just keep on winning hearts.

Nandu: Did I win yours?

Manik stops the car.

Manik(putting his fist over his chest): You stole my heart, darling. Only I know how I am surviving without a heart.

She pulls his ear without hurting him.

Nandu: Stop flirting with me and start the car.

Manik: Get down, Murthy. We are having lunch. Before you question why, I know you are tired and also starving.

Nandu smiles at him, gets down the car and frowns.

Manik: Pizza time.

Nandu: Manik, tumne kal hi pizza khaya hai. Aren't you bored?

Manik: How can anyone be bored of pizza? I can survive only on pizzas for months.

He pulls her inside. They take a corner table after placing the order.

Nandu: Next time when you are having a pizza, I will have aloo ke paratha aur woh bhi tumhare samne baithkar. Tab main dekhungi which one you will choose.

Manik: Nandu, mujhe parathe khane hai.

Nandu: Aur pizza?

Manik: Woh bhi khana hai. Aur bhi bahut khana hai.

Nandu: stop it before you give me a list. Abhi ke liye pizza khao.

They have their pizza with lot many fights and smiles.

Evening, Singhania Mansion

As it was the birthday party of Madhyam, Manik, Nandini along with Raj went to the party. Cabir with Navya and Abhimanyu, Mukti were present too. At present, the announcement took place and everyone except Nandini were talking in a group after congratulating the couple. Nandini, as requested by Madhyam, was having a conversation with his fiance.

Even when everyone on the group was discussing and pulling each others legs, Manik was least interested. Cabir, who noticed this, followed Manik's gaze and found it towards Nandini. He was looking at Nandu with all the love he has for her and Cabir smirks at him. He shows Raj through his eyes.

Raj: Aisa kya ghoor raha hai meri beti ko. As if you will eat her up?

Manik(still in a trance): I don't have a plan of eating her up. But I definitely have a plan of holding her tight in my arms and having her all to myself. Just look at her smile, how can someone not fall for her.

Raj(slapping his head): Gadhe baap hun tera. At least mere samne toh aise baat mat kar.

Manik(rubbing his head): Ouch. Aap kab aaye?

Cabir: Jab tu apne majnu giri mein vyasth tha.

Manik: Mukku, dekh na. He's teasing me.

Navya: Sorry bhai. We can't help. Humne live dekha just abhi.

They were all teasing him when Nandu comes and wraps her hand around Manik's waist, taking him in a side hug.

Nandu: Kyu tang kar rahe ho mere Manik ko?

Manik(squealed): Nandu. I missed you.

Nandu: Aa gayi main, baba.

Cabir: Hum tang nahi kar rahe the. Balki yeh tumhare bedroom secrets leak kar raha tha. How he holds you tight and..

Nandu: Cabir. Tumhare aur Navya ke bedroom secrets main announce karu, party mein.

Cabir: Nahi. Rehen de.

Raj: Princess, tu use support mat kar. He is so selfish. He just wants to keep all of you to himself.

Manik pouts as Nandini bursts out laughing.

Abhi: My Nandini isn't talking to me much after I made her my sister.

Nandu: Because you are so busy with your girlfriend and not even calling me. You toh even stopped bringing me flowers. Kahan hai mere flowers?

He pulls Nandu to his side and wraps his hand around her shoulder. Manik frowns but smiles immediately.

Abhi: Aaj flowers le aata toh birthday boy ke liye dene padte. Kal pakka. I am sorry. I was busy with work. Girlfriend ne toh kab ka chod diya mujhe.

Mukti: I have work, Abhimanyu.

Abhi: Kaisa work. Phir tum mujhe chodkar chali jaogi.

Mukti: We have already worked that plan.

Manik: Kaisa plan?

Mukti: We have decided, I will continue with my job. Jab bhi mujhe time milega, I will come to Mumbai. Aur if Abhi is free for few days, he can visit me wherever I will be.

Cabir: Will this work?

Mukti: We will see, if it's working out. I hope it does.

Manik(wraps his hands around Mukti): It will work. Skype par bhi toh baat hogi na. I am so happy for both of you.

Raj: Lekin beta, tum kab tak job continue karoge?

Mukti: A few more years, uncle. Uske baad, I can continue online. I have talked to them about maintaining the blog and helping them in preparing the reports.

Navya: That's great.

Nandu(whispers to Abhi): Are you happy with this?

Abhi: Let her fly. She enjoys her work. I can't stop her happiness, right?

Nandu grins widely and hugs him tight confusing others, who were oblivious of the internal talks of these two.

Nandu: I love you. I am so proud of you.

Cabir(smirks): Nandu ne dekh Abhi ko I love you bola.

Manik: It's okay, Cabir. Apna Abhi hi toh hai.

Nandu smiles at Manik.

Cabir: Acha, what's this bracelet? Naya hai.

Manik: Nandu's gift.

He flaunts the bracelet and also how it contains the name 'Aarav' on it.

Cabir: Aarav toh..

Manik: Mom ka diya hua nickname.

Cabir: I am impressed.

Nandu raises her invisible collar. The couples decide to dance. Cabir and Abhimanyu leave with their respective partners. Manik was looking at them with a smile.

Nandu: May I have a dance with you?

Manik(looking down): No.

Raj frowned at him.

Raj: Idiot, you were supposed to ask her for a dance. Aur jab woh puch rahi hai, tu mana kar raha hai use.

Manik: I don't know how to dance.

Nandu(amused): What? Aur phir tum mujhe bol rahe the that I don't dance with you.

Manik: Haan woh bas aise hi.

Nandu: Let's get to your first dance then.

Manik: Nandu, I will hurt you.

Nandu: You won't. Do you trust me?

Manik: More than my heart trusts its beat.

Nandu: You can't dance but you can go from normal to the most cheesiest of human beings in seconds.

Manik smiles sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck making her chuckle.

Nandu: Trust me. I won't let you fall.

She holds her hand out for him. As he grips her hand nervously, she gives him an assuring smile before turning towards Raj.

Nandu: Papa, hum abhi aaye.

Raj chuckles at those two as he starts talking with other people. Nandu helps Manik to dance, guiding him all the way. Soon, Manik starts enjoying it.

After the dance

Cabir(teases): Bhai, bolna nahi chahiye. Lekin Nandu ne last time Madhyam ke saath jab dance kiya tha, that was more romantic. Tumhara kitna sukha sukha lag raha tha.

Nandu glares at Cabir as last time he did the same and Manik was furious.

Manik(smiles): It's okay, Cabir. She is The Nandini Murthy. No one can resist her charm. But where everyone dies to have a dance with her, she herself asked me for a dance. Imagine main kitna special hun Nandu ke liye. Haina?

He says looking at Nandu as she nods with a huge grin and hugs him tight. Seeing this calm Manik, surprised everyone as they know how easily he gets jealous of every boy she talks to.

Cabir: Mukti, tujhe nahi lagta. Hamara baby ab baby nahi raha.

Manik clenches his jaw.

Cabir: Tujhe itna gussa kyu aa raha hai?

Raj: You don't know?

He starts explaining about Soha and her 'baby'. They all bursts out laughing.

Manik(furious): Hence, stop calling me baby. I hate the word baby.

Raj: Acha, baby sun.

Manik glares at his father.

Raj: Stop giving me that look. I gave you birth. You are my baby.

Manik(rolling his eyes): Fine.

Mukti(innocently): Main bhi nahi bula sakti kya, Manik?

Manik: Fine. Tu mujhe bahut kuch bulati hai, so it doesn't matter. I didn't ever stop you from anything.

Cabir: Baby, main.

Manik: No.

Abhi: what about me?

Manik: Argh. No. The only people who can call me baby is the person standing there, my father. And Mukti. Bas. No one else.

Nandu: What about me, baby?

Manik glares at her but eventually a smile breaks on his face looking at her puppy face. He hugs her tight before taking her face into both his hands.

Manik: You are my everything. You don't even have to ask.

Cabir: Majnu kahi ka. Uncle, dekho iske harkat. Double faced idiot.

Raj: Dekh raha hun.

Navya: Bas bahut dekh liya. Cabir, hamare bhai ko satana bandh karo.

Manik(side hugging her): Navvu.

After the party, Parking lot.

They were discussing about their further plan as it's just 9pm when someone interrupts.

Soha: Manik, baby. How are you?

Manik(rolling her eyes): What the hell are you doing here?

Soha: Party mein aayi thi. Ab bas tumse milne aayi hun, baby.

Manik: Listen, I have already told you. I am not your baby. Stop calling me that.

Soha: Toh kya bulaun tumhe, baby? Aarav?

Cabir: How do you know about Aarav?

Soha: I have heard you people talking about the bracelet. Aarav, baby, that's a cheap one. I can get you a nice diamond bracelet.

Manik: Stop calling me Aarav.

Soha: why? It's such a nice name. Aarav. Aarav Malhotra.

Manik(yells): You don't have any damn right to call me Aarav. It's Manik for you. Rather Mr. Malhotra.

Soha: But this girl calls you Aarav?

Manik: Don't even try to compare yourself with her, Ms. Khurana. Zameen aasmaan ka farakh hai tum dono mein. Till date my own dad didn't call me 'aarav'. Who the hell are you to call me?

Soha: Why are you screaming like a monster?

Manik: Because, I am a monster.

Soha: Listen.

Manik: No, first you listen. Hereafter, if you have to talk to me about any project, maintain a metre distance from me. If you want to become friends with me, stay a km away from me. If you want to get married to me, don't even try to contact me because I am not interested. If you are done with this crap, leave. Never try to call me 'aarav' again.

She leaves fuming.

Cabir puts a hand on his shoulder which he jerks off.

Manik: Don't touch me.

Cabir: Manik.

Manik: No, Cabir. No one has the right to call me Aarav. No one.

He walks away to his car.

Raj: Cabir, Nyonika bulati thi and he is emotionally attached with that name. Isliye main bhi use nahi bulata.

Cabir: I understand, uncle. It's a sensitive topic for him.

Abhi: I never saw him this angry.

Mukti: Neither me.

Cabir: Navya?

Navya: Hum behosh hone wale hai. Bhai ko maine kabhi aisa nahi dekha.

Nandu(mutters): But he lets me call Aarav.

Everyone: What?

Nandu looks at them before nodding.

Raj: Are you sure, Nandu?

Nandu: Yes. I have called him Aarav many a times. And he never became angry. In fact, he calms down whenever I call him that.

Mukti: Babydoll, maybe because he loves you so much?

Raj: Or maybe because he is finding his mother's love in you which he have lost years back.

Nandu: Papa.

She hugs him emotionally. Raj smiles at her and caresses her hair. Breaking the hug, he pecks her head.

Raj: I am so happy, he have you. Ab ja, apne hulk ko sambhal. I am going to Thakkar's house. Tum bache ghar jaoge?

Cabir: Hulk ke saath time spend karna is no less than playing khatron ke khiladi.

Mukti: Cabir, shut up. Uncle, we will handle him. Matlab Nandu can handle him. Aap tension mat lo. Enjoy your night.

Nandu: Haan, dad. Aap car lekar jao. Cabir will drop us.

Cabir: Maine kab bola?

Nandu: Are you dropping us or do you want me to call Ms. Khurana and tell her, you are interested in her.

Cabir: Nahi, I am dropping you.

Raj laughs at them and leaves taking the car keys from Nandu. Nandu asks Abhi and Mukti to leave for Malhotra house.

Cabir: Mission hulk ko sambhalo.

Nandu: Carry on.

Cabir: Nahi. Mission tumhara hai.

Nandu: Then shut up.

Navya: Cabir, chalo chup chap.

They go and find Manik leaning on Cabir's car.

Cabir: Bhai, hatega kya?

Manik glares at him, still furious.

Cabir: Nahi. Itne gusse mein drive thodi karega. Tu piche baith ja. I will drive.

He sits at the back and closes the door with a thud.

Navya: Tumhe sharam nahi aati, Cabir. Itne gusse mein bhi pareshan kar rahe ho bhai ko.

Cabir: I just asked him to sit at the back. I didn't do anything.

Nandu(warned): You won't do anything too. Backseat mein kuch bhi ho, you are not going to utter a word.

Cabir: Lekin mujhe tumhari adult movie live mein nahi dekhni.

Nandu: Shut up and drive.

She goes to the other side and takes a seat. Cabir silently prays for Nandini as Manik is too angry to think rationally. He doesn't want Manik to hurt Nandu and regret later. Manik was looking down and was still fuming, thinking about the incident. Nandu puts a hand on his shoulder and he jerks off.

Manik: Don't touch me. No one can call me 'Aarav'.

He keeps on repeating the line as if in a trance. Cabir was about to say something but Nandu stops him. She carefully puts her hand on Manik's cheek and makes him looks towards her. He looks at her with frown.

Nandu(cupping his face): No one will call you aarav. Okay?

When he realizes it's Nandini in front of him, he crashes on her chest and starts crying bitterly. Nandu keeps on ruffling his hair and pecks his head.

Manik: Nandu, mom.

Nandu: Manik, calm down.

Manik: How can she call me that? How can she dare to make a joke of the name given by mom.

Nandu: Manik, use nahi pata na. Aage se, she won't. Okay. Stop crying now.

Manik: She can't call me Aarav. She can't call me that. No one can call me...

Nandu: Aarav.

She accidentally calls him Aarav and regrets as Manik looks at her, shocked. Cabir stops the car, equally shocked and tensed for Nandu. He was prepared for another screaming of Manik but Manik was looking at her, motionless, further scaring them.

Nandu: Manik, I am sorry. I didn't mean to. Galti se nikal gaya.

Manik(holding her hands): Call me Aarav.

Nandu(confused): Aarav.

Manik(whispered): Again. Please.

Nandu(touching his cheek hesitantly): Aarav.

He hugs her tight without uttering any word. Cabir and Navya notices a small smile through his tears. They understood what Nandini means to Manik.

Nandu(cupping his face): Tum bas apne Nandu ke Aarav ho. Haina?

He holds her hands, which were on his face, and nods in a yes.

Manik: Bas tumhara Aarav. Bas tumhara.

Cabir starts the car again, this time with a wide smile and happy for his best friend. Even though Cabir never touches any sensitive topics, he knows how Manik used to miss his mom. He have seen Manik giving a longing look to any child playing with their mothers back when they were studying. Now with Nandu beside him, he is relieved. His best friend will never miss his mom again. Even if he does, there's someone who will take care of him and will love him as equally as his mom.

Malhotra Mansion

Mukti and Abhimanyu reached earlier and Mukti was pacing to and fro, tensed for Manik. Abhi was trying to calm her down. Manik after reaching home, goes to his room without talking to anyone. Nandu, Cabir and Navya were behind him.

Mukti: Nandu, Manik?

Nandu: Mukti, he is fine. Guys, you people change and come. Main Manik ko lekar aati hun. He is a bit emotional but he will be back.

She leaves. Mukti looks at Cabir for answers and he smiles widely before hugging her tight.

Cabir: Mukti, our best friend is back. Totally.

He explains her whatever happened in the car making everyone smile and pray for their happiness.

Manik's room

Manik was sitting on the bed, leaning on the head rest with his eyes closed. Nandu comes and takes a seat in front of him and holds his hand.

Nandu: Manik?

Manik: Nandu, I am sorry. I didn't mean to create a scene there. I couldn't even think straight. I never got this angry before. I shouldn't have screamed on everyone. Soha. I have hurt her.

Nandu: Manik, it's okay. Calm down. It was required. She wouldn't come back to you. Or at least she will not cross her limits.

Manik: But Cabir? I have screamed at him too. And you. I have hurt you too.

Nandu: Manik, it's okay. I can understand. Cabir will understand. He is your best friend, right? And tumne mujhe hurt nahi kiya. You can never hurt me, Manik.

Manik: Nandu, I can't think when I am angry. And people get hurt in the process of calming me down. Later, I might hurt you in anger aur kya tum mujhe chod kar chali jaogi.

Nandu: Mister, boyfriend. When you know how to calm your angry tigress even I know how to calm my monstrous hulk. Aren't we made for each other? Kabhi Laila Majnu toh kabhi hulk aur tigress. Hmm?

Manik: After what happened today, will you stop calling me Aarav?

Nandu: How can I? Do you know, you just calm down whenever I call you Aarav? I really need that weapon to send that angry hulk back.

Manik(chuckles): Tumhe darr nahi laga mujhse? Baaki sab darr gaye.

Nandu: Mujhe bhi bahut darr laga, Manik. I was so scared that I wanted to run far away from you. Phir yaad aaya, my boyfriend toh can't live without me. Kyunki yeh hulk ke jate hi woh Majnu ban jayega. And I stayed back.

Manik bursts out laughing at the way she explained.

Nandu: Hayee. That smile. I can die for that smile.

Manik: Are you trying to flirt with me, Ms. Murthy.

Nandu: Kyu? Flirt karne ka haq sirf tumhara hi hai? I have every right on you. That includes flirting too.

Manik: Girlfriend, stop being so cute. Otherwise, office mein mera kaam karna mushkil ho jayega when you will come back to your boss mode.

Nandu: I know how to make my assistant work and also how to make my boyfriend blush.

She pecks his cheek making him blush and stands up to leave. Manik holds her wrist and pulls her making her fall on his lap.

Nandu: Manik, what are you doing?

Manik: What am I doing? What are you doing? Where are you going leaving me alone?

Nandu: Manik, niche hamare friends hai. We have already kept them waiting na. Aur wait karwana acha nahi lagega. You go and change. Hum niche jayenge.

Manik: Thodi der aur baitho na.

Nandu: Manik. No. Go and change.

Manik: Fine.

Living Room

Manik came down and saw their friends already changed and talking.

Manik: Guys, I am sorry for my behavior.

Giving each other a look, Mukti and Cabir pounce on him and hugs him tight.

Manik: Okay, I didn't expect this at least.

Cabir: I am happy for you. Nandu? You allowed her to call you Aarav? I know you love her and we used to even tease you as Majnu but I never know you respect her this much that you start comparing her love with that of your mother's.

Manik: It was always the case, Cabir. Bachpan se, she was the matured one among us. Tujhe pata hai, during childhood whenever I used to get myself hurt during a fight or during playing, she was my go to person. Because I was scared, Mom would scold me. But Nandu. She never even asked me questions. Bas chup chap mera first aid karti thi. She used to hold me so carefully as if I am a baby. Whenever I used to hiss due to the pain, it was reflected in her eyes. Till now, she treats me like a baby. Whenever I was tensed or messed up anything, I used to sleep in her lap. She used to ruffle my hair till I was normal. She never asked me to change. Never questioned me for my bad habits. Whenever I asked her any doubt, she used to explain me as if she is explaining to a kid. In between, I have lost my Nandu. I have lost her love. There was no one to ruffle my hair. There was no one whose lap gave me the peace of my mom's.

Mukti: Manik?

Manik: Mukti, I have got my Nandu back, my Nandini back. I can still act as a kid to her and she will happily bear my tantrums. I can hide in her lap peacefully and she protects me from all my problems. It's as if my mom has sent her back to me. To give her love to me through Nandu. Mukti, I love her. Love even feels a small word. She is my oxygen. I can't breathe without her.

Mukti hugs him. Nandu, who just came down after having a shower, heard everything what Manik said and had tears in her eyes. Cabir, who was facing her, saw her crying.

Cabir: Nandini?

Manik turns back and finds her running to the kitchen. He stands up to leave but Cabir stops him.

Manik: Cabir, leave me. I saw tears in her eyes.

Cabir: Let her cry, Manik. You don't know what all this means to her. Whatever you have just confessed. Let her cry. Navya, use sambhalo.

A worried Manik looks towards the kitchen. Abhimanyu wraps his hands around Manik.

Abhi: I don't know if Nandu is lucky to have you or you are lucky to have Nandini. I know what all you have done to her. Aaj tak kisi ne uske liye itna nahi kiya. You brought her smile back. And she. She was always worried for you. You and uncle were the only two people who mattered to her. She can do anything to protect you. And tumne use pyar karna sikhaya hai na? Woh abhi tumhe duniya ka sara pyar de rahi hai, Manik. Don't let anyone come between you. Just stay together always.

Nandu: We will stay together, always.

They all turn to find Nandu smiling and Navya beside her. Manik walks up to her.

Manik: Are you okay?

Nandu: Tum ho na mere saath. How can I not be okay?

He pecks her head. They settle down and Manik pulls Nandini in his lap.

Cabir: Bhai, side mein place hai.

Manik: Tujhe jalan ho rahi hai, toh Navya bhi hai side mein.

Cabir: Yeh Majnu phir se start ho gaya.