Navya was confused. Today, for the first time she had opened up her heart, and it happened to be that joker faced man she knew who admired her from day one.

He was handsome, she couldn't disagree. He liked her, she again couldn't disagree but then, it wasn't all, right?

Letting out a small sigh, she wrapped her hand around herself, feeling the need to hide herself and at the same moment she felt someone's presence behind her.

Abhi: Are you okay?

Abhi sounded hesitant. In these two years, he had hardly exchanged any good words with them, specially with Navya. They were siblings, and they were supposed to be the closest but that certainly wasn't the case.

Navya: you are two years late to ask this, Bhai.

Navya didn't want to be bitter. She knew what Nandini was for her brother. Neither did she envy Nandini for she knew Nandini had always been there for Abhi from the start and that too, when it was her that was supposed to be with her brother.

Abhi looked down, feeling guilt rise in his heart.

Abhi: I-I am sorry.

Navya: Don't be. I deserve every bit of it.

She chuckled sarcastically. Abhi shook his head as he turned to her.

Abhi: None of us deserved what happened to us, Navya.

Navya: No bhai. We deserved it. You know- I never knew our bond was so weak that a mere phone call made us doubt Nandu.

Abhi fell silent. He couldn't argue on this point. It was the same thing Manik had been saying from the moment he came to know the truth. A mere phone call broke their trust.

Maybe it was not that phone call. It was just those insecurities, those untreated wounds of the past - those cracks in their relationship they always hid with smiles and happy moments. After all, Black Shinners were supposed to shine in the dark.

Abhi didn't know. He didn't even know what to say so he just cleared his throat, and stood there.

Unlike Nandini, Navya was a lot more complicated. Abhi didn't know how to communicate with her. He was not sure how to handle her, he didn't know what was going in her head. He felt like a stranger standing beside his own blood sister.

He glanced at her again, and found her staring at the sky aimlessly. She looked so fragile, so hurt and vulnerable that for the first time Abhi wanted to hold her, and be there for her. He wanted to tell her that she was his sister no matter what, and he cared for her, always.

Abhi: D-Do you like him?

For a second, Navya was taken aback. Like him? Did he know? She gasped and turned to him.

Navya: L-Like who?

Abhi: Cabir, who else. Duh

Navya: Excuse me? You sound like I have no boys in my life except him!

Abhi: You do?

Navya rolled her eyes at the stern eyes and turned back to look at the sky. Abhi chuckled at the rude ignorance.

Navya: None of your business. And no, I don't like Cabir. I don't even know him.

Abhi: And that's why you have kept his note safe until now?

Navya's eyes went wide and she was forced to face her brother again. One look into his eyes, and she knew she was doomed for sure.

____

The next morning started on a good note with everyone sitting in the living area, chit-chatting about random stuff including their hobbies, work, music, personal life.

It was more of a bonding time as they narrated each other even the pranks they had done in their childhood. It was when Nandini walked in the hall rubbing her eyes to get rid of the sleep.

She pouted seeing them having quality time without her and went on to sit beside Harshad who was quick enough to keep her head on his shoulder. She snuggled in his shoulder and he chuckled.

Harshad: Still sleepy princess?

Nandini hummed making him frown at the dullness of her voice.

Harshad: What happened?

Nandini: Soha- I miss her bhai.

Her voice cracked by the end and tears brimmed in Harshad's eyes seeing which others grew worried. Since Nandini was talking in slow voice, nobody heard what she said but realized when Harshad answered.

Harshad: I miss her too princess.

Nandini: Why don't we call her.

Sid: We can't bacha. She is busy.

Nandini: Doesn't she know I am up? I messaged her so many times and even her answers are strange!

They all looked at Navya, as she was the one was replying to her as Soha. Navya shrugged helplessly - conveying she can't be Soha or no matter what, Nandini would still feel it.

Abhi: Ofcourse she knows, barbie and you do know there's no network over there, and she is also busy. That's why you feel so.

Nandini nodded, hiding herself more in his arms.

Harshad: It is okay princess. When she will come back, we both will teach her a lesson. Sounds fun?

Nandini: yes and I won't talk to her, never ever!

Harshad: Don't say like that, Nandu.

He blinked his eyes to get rid of the tears and Nandini who realised he was crying stood up in shock.

Nandini: You are crying. I am sorry, bhai. I didn't mean to hurt you.

She cried with him surprising Fab5 who couldn't believe she was crying just because she thought her words made her brother cry.

Abhi: Barbie, You didn't make him cry and how many times do I need to tell you, you shouldn't say sorry to us.

Nandini: Bhaiyu, I always listen to you no. Don't say that. Okay, I won't say sorry from now on. Nandini promise.

Everyone except Fab5 smiled at her as she grinned back.

Manik: What is Nandini promise?

Nandini turned to him in swift motion. Her eyes went wide before she turned to look at Sid who nodded with a chuckle confirming that Manik was indeed there.
It confused everyone but nevertheless nobody asked for they knew both bestfriends will never tell them.

Nandini: It is a secret.

Manik: I thought we were friends but it is okay if you don't take me as one.

He faked a sad face making others shake their head in disbelief at his drama.

Nandini: Who said we are friends?

Manik's face fell down and seeing this she slapped her forehead.

Nandini: Idiot! You are family.

Manik's heart did a little salsa hearing her but he managed to paste a smile on his face.

The day passed on a normal note with them bonding with each other.

The next day, Nandini was up at four itself. All the credits to her medicines which made her sleep almost the whole day yesterday.

Since she was up, she thought of doing something interesting. Now, being the prankster she is, she decided to prank everyone. So after freshening up, she walked out of her room.

As she came across the first guest room, she opened it only to find Cabir sleeping on the bed with his one leg on the floor, his blanket half down and mouth wide open as he snored loudly.

Nandini: God! Humans sleep this way?

Scrunching up her nose in dismay, she walked to the next one only to palm her eyes as she came across Dhruv and Aliya sleeping in each other's peacefully, their clothes scattered on the floor.

She blushed, and peeped in the next room where Mukti was sleeping silently. Sighing she closed the door back and walked in the fourth room which she knew was of Manik definitely.

There, with his mouth slightly open, chest devoid of any clothes, Manik was sleeping peacefully on his stomach. The first thing Nandini noticed was his tattoo. It was enchanting, so pretty and beautiful.

A monster and a star, crafted beautifully on his skin. Standing beside him, she let her hand roam on his back and thanks to her stars, Manik was in deep sleep so he didn't wake up.

Biting down her lower lip, she finally shook him slightly holding his shoulder.

Nandini: Manik! Wake up!

She tried for a few times more but Manik didn't wake up. Instead he slapped her hand in sleep and turned his face to the other side. She looked at him with her jaw dropped down.

Fuming she looked around and her eyes fell on the jug of water kept on the table. That was it. Without wasting another second, she poured the half filled jug in him resulting in him waking up shouting "Flood-Flood" out loud. Seeing him doing so, Nandini burst out laughing which in return broke his trance.

It took him another moment to realize what happened and when he did he stared at her wide eyed.

Manik: Di-Did you just-

Manik left the sentence in mid, still not able to beleive she literally threw the bucket of water on him. Nandini grinned at him and as Manik glared at her, her grin changed into nervousness.

Manik: What is this, Miss.Murty?

Nandini: Ma-Manik, look It was only because you weren't waking up. I had no other choice!

Manik: So you are saying it is my mistake?

Nandini shook her head in yes, and as she saw him raising his eyebrow, she nodded in no hurriedly.

Nandini: You are scary!

She mumbled and Manik burst out laughing all of the sudden. He pulled her beside him by her wrist while she was still looking at him wide eyed.

Manik: Why are you scared of me? Do I look like a monster to you?

Nandini: No, but you are scary.

Manik: Nandini-

Nandini: You shout at everyone na.

Manik, who was about to say something stopped in mid and stared at her in confusion.

How did she know he shouts at everyone? Probably, the bodyguards might have told her.

Nandini: You know, anger is not good.

Manik: Is it?

She bobbed her head making him smile.

Manik: I will take care of my anger from next time, okay?

Nandini: Okay. Now get up! I need your help.

Manik looked at the clock which striked five in the morning. Letting out a lazy yawn, he stared back at Nandini.

Manik: Nandini, it is just five in the morning. I promise I will help you with anything in the noon. Let me sleep please.

Though he pleaded at the end, he was already down on the bed. Nandini looked at him wide eyed before pinching him on his arm.

Nandini: What are you? Kumbkaram!

Manik: It is kumbkaran, Nandini.

He corrected lazily and she mimicked him. Manik tried hard to go back to sleep but with her standing beside his bed folding her arms against her chest with a child like pout, he couldn't help but give in.

Finally, after wasting another five minutes, he walked in the washroom as per Nandini's instructions.

It took him fifteen minutes to freshen up and as he came out, he saw Nandini standing there changing his bedsheet.

Manik: You don't have to do this, Nandini.

Nandini: It is okay, Manik. I don't mind doing it.

She smiled at him making his heart flutter yet again. Manik didn't realize he was staring at her continuously until Nandini came to him and snapped her fingers infront of his face.

Nandini: Don't tell me you were checking me out again!

Manik shrugged, not denying the accusation and Nandini's eyes went wide seeing him being so carefree about it.

Manik: So, What is the plan?

He asked, and when Nandini smirked, he knew they were in trouble. Deep trouble.

____

Manik: Nandini, look - I don't think we should be doing this.

No response.

Manik: Nandini!

She didn't even give two cents to him, but Manik could only plead.

Manik: Let's not do this, Nandini.

Nandini: Manik, Shut up. You are going to wake him up.

Nandini scolded him again while Manik just looked at her in helplessness. He couldn't beleive they were here, in Sid's room with Nandini practically sitting beside him painting his face.

He looked funny, Manik couldn't disagree but he wasn't sure how funny he and Nandini would look after Sid wakes up.

And Nandini didn't stop there, she painted each and every member of Fab5 and her own friends.

By the time they were done, it was around six in the morning. They knew it was the time when everyone wakes up.

However, it was Cabir today who woke up first. He walked in the washroom and had just put the paste on his brush when his eyes fell on the mirror and the moment he saw his own reflection, he screamed. He screamed out so loud that each and every person in the mansion heard his voice.

Manik palmed his face when he literally saw Cabir run out of his room with his hand covering his chest and mouth wide open. Nandini though was a little disappointed for she thought Abhi will be the first one to scream yet laughed when everyone else came out of their rooms looking worried too.

At one point, Cabir was standing in the center and everyone surrounded him. As he saw everyone's painted faces, he screamed more. Hearing his scream or seeing his face, even others started screaming.

It was until, Abhi noticed Nandini wasn't there. He screamed her name knowing it was her and at the same moment they all were drenched in cold water. They looked up and found Manik and Nandini standing there laughing their guts out.

They all looked at them crossed arms and it took them another moment to realize they were alone laughing. Manik fell silent with a mischievous smile while Nandini grew nervous looking at Fab5's faces.

Nandini: G-Guys look-

Cabir: What look!

Cabir faked anger making Nandini more nervous. Manik who saw it came forward.

Manik: Cabir-

Cabir: You shut up! I will see you later- First let me deal with her.

He turned to Nandini who was looking down by now.

Cabir: and you Miss.Murty! How dare you? How dare you do this without me?

Everyone looked at him surprised while Nandini's head snapped in his direction.

Nandini: W-What?

Cabir: What what? You should have included me too in your plan. That's not fair, Nandini.

Abhi: Actually it is not late, Cabir! We can still have some fun. Haina, Barbie- Manik? I hope you two won't mind.

Manik and Nandini looked at him wide eyed and even before they could react, their friends were advancing towards them. They both ran in different directions to save themselves.

Nandini was soon caught by Aryaman while Manik was caught by Dhruv. Nandini's bandaged saved her but Manik was already drenched by his friends. He glared at them before throwing the cushion at them.

It hit Mukti who tried to hit back but ended up hitting Abhi who instead of hitting back, hit Nandini. And Nandini being Nandini picked up another cushions too and started throwing it at everyone.

In between Navya was throwing the cushion at Nandini who was trying to dodge it. And as the floor was slippery, Navya slipped but before she could fall, a hand sneaked around her waist preventing her from falling down.

Everyone stopped, staring at Cabir who was looking at the woman literally hanging in his arms. He continued to stare at her until she wriggled in his hold. He made her stand up and physically moved back.

Navya looked at him hurt while he didn't glance at her and left for his room followed by Manik who looked worried.

Nandini stepped forward to ask what happened but Harshad interrupted her in between.

Harshad: Nandu, it is enough. Go and freshen up.

Nandini pouted but nevertheless nodded her head. Everyone left from there except Navya and Abhi.

As she looked at him, he smiled faintly- asking her to go ahead. Navya, without a word left to Cabir's room.

To Be Continued.