"Hmm so someone is grumpy " Nandini sat on the bench beside Rishabh and Diya . She came in the garden of society after parking her car in the parking .

"Diya dii tell her I don't speak with liers " turning his face to another side he said seriously.  And Nandini sighed whereas Diya chuckled slightly , they both came after buying decorating material and other stuff for Swaroop's birthday .

"I had a reason Rishu " Nandini kept her head on his shoulder and she sounded tired. 

"I understand but u could have told me truth ..... I am also a responsible man of family " he was mature boy since childhood.  He is way more understanding than her though he is younger one in the house .

"Aww my baby bro  u r still in school .... What you could have done ?" She asked teasingly .

"I would have done anything so that you wouldn't have to be driver that too of that selfish and cunning bastard" he said aggressively.

"Rishuu ...... Don't curse " she said sternly. 

"As if u don't curse " he too said sarcastically and she rolled her eyes, then accepted.  She pouted realising she is the one who curses the most and he curses very rarely or at least he don't curse in front of family.

"Yup she curses the most " Diya took Rishabh's side quickly.  And Nandini slapped her shoulder to which she pouted.

"Accha listen ..... Don't tell this to mom nd dad ..... They won't like it, they raised me to be a pilot and sometimes they have sacrificed their happiness for my dream ...... Even I want to full fill their dream but it's not a right time " she said in calming tone and he too listened seriously.

"Why ? ..... We can take loan and for a yr or two we can adjust ..... It will be difficult but still it's possible " he too talked sense .

"Yes we can do that ..... But Papa is still not recovered and we should be prepared for emergencies ..... If we will use all money on my course then what about such emergencies ? ...... And yes we can adjust but why we should adjust even for desirable food or anything when I can earn enough to fulfill our expenses ..... Mumma nd Papa have always been best parents to us, so don't you think it's our responsibility to take care of them and their expenses , umm? " He nodded in acknowledgement .

"But what about ur dream ? ..... Even they want to see you flying in the air " he was persistent about her career.

"This yr it's not possible ...... So I will apply for training , next year and till then we have 10-11 months so I can earn money ..... And I am working as a driver but still my salary is one lakh so we can manage easily ..... Till then papa will be fine and after that we can adjust comfortably for 2yrs then I will fly in the air .... Now be a supportive brother and keep this as s secret" she explained him her future plans .

"When u become this smart, till yesterday u were the most dumbest sister " he teased her and she hit him on his stomach. 

"I can still be dumbest and now u will cook something tasty for Diya and me ...... I haven't eaten anything since long time " he regretted calling her dumb but nonetheless he is happy seeing her all demanding. 

"Aww Nandu I love you " Diya hugged them both while sitting on bench. 

"Dii I am making it nd not her " Rishu whined .

"Okay baby,  I love you " Diya pulled his cheek and he gave frustrated look .

"Now let's go upstairs " Nandini stood up from her sit .

"Wait a min ..... U r working with that monster " he said remembering Manik to which Diya too agreed instantly and Nandini sighed.  How will she take Manik's side when he is no where near to be a gentle man .

"U don't need to worry ...... I am safe with monster and there is not much work but his weird timings always fucks with my sleep" she spoke the half truth she can't tell about her hidden love for Manik to her brother.

"That's the only good thing he is doing in life" he again earned quick smack on his neck from Nandini. 

"U mean boy " she gave him look. 

"U both can fight later ...... Let's go upstairs first ..... I am hungry too " Diya literally dragged them both with her . After that they went upstairs .

.........................||

Nandini with Sahil nd Sandesh was waiting for princess Manik to come out of his palace . Yes princess because today he was taking time of eternity to get ready and here she was punishing two of her friends by making them talk to her at the 5 am in the morning . She forced them to stay awake so she won't sleep already .

"Haaye Mr Malhotra is looking hawwtt " after hearing hearing drool dripping voice of her both the guys looked at the entrance of house to get shocked seeing him wearing any other colour rather than black .

He walked effortlessly while folding up his sleeves of white shirt , unknown to the three pairs of eyes on him . He slightly tilted his neck and set his messy hair with his long fingers and continued his walking.

"Umm he looks yummy " Nandini gave weird look to Sandesh who just moaned after seeing Manik walking in his usual style , looking very sexy .

"Umm . ..... Actually u r right " she turned to her right side to see same reaction from Sahil . Till then Manik also reached there and stood exactly behind her. 

"Are you both .... Ummm " before she could speak further they greeted Manik by saying good morning and he just nodded from behind .

"Bye Nandini " saying so they went back to their place . Manik observed from behind today also she is wearing white , it's her third white dress in one week, may be white is her favorite and that's why she gifted him white only.  Anyways it suits her and resembles her , she is also clean , untouched by dirt , flawless , peaceful and pure just like white.

"Ooof ooof " he took out one cigarette from his pocket then keeping it between two fingers , he lit it with lighter.  He puffed cigar once . Let's just say he was trying to get her attention as she was busy looking at nothing and thinking about something in her mind.  Off course he expected to get at least single reaction from her as after lots of hesitation and self talks he wore that white shirt which she gifted  him . It's first time that he is trying to get attention of a girl but he was excited like a child because it's a first gift in his life.

"Ahem ..... Ahem " she instantly coughed as smoke coming out from his cigar hit her nostrils . She is very sensitive towards it's smoke . She turned back and saw him smoking for first time.  She coughed and coughed which stopped him from smoking. 

"Since when u started smoking ?" She managed to asked him in between her coughs. 

"I always used to smoke it's just u saw me for first time " he spoke casually and till now she stopped coughing. 

"Can u please not smoke whenever I am around ?" She asked making puppy face which looked very cute to him but he didn't melted instead he smirked. 

"Okay I will smoke regularly " saying so he was about to put his cigar back between his lips and he was about to lit it with lighter but she snatched lighter from his hand making him little furious. From childhood he never liked someone snatching his things so as a reflex he got little angry. 

"You won't ..... And I am not giving it back to you " she took 4 steps back , creating distance between them .

"Listen don't play with me " he took two steps forward .

"U won't smoke " she took 4 more steps back and he glared her hard.

"Now you really don't know me " before he could grab her within seconds she ran away from his clutches . He too ran behind her .

"And u really don't know that I am a runner , Mr Malhotra " she ran around the gate and also teased him . Sound of her giggles was roaming around the premise of mansion , indeed it was a first time for mansion to witness such blissful scene. Where she is giggling , running and he is chasing her. 

"U little driver " he ran faster and she too increased her pace . His playful side amused Sahil and Sandesh who were witnessing the scene. 

"She is really playing with Manik Malhotra " Sandesh said in amusement , he just didn't mentioned about the ongoing scene but also about Manik's feelings .

"Because Manik Malhotra is letting her play with him , otherwise it's impossible " Sahil said , because no one can play the game with Manik . He is gamer nd player in his world .

"Or may be he is getting played by her ..... I never saw this side of him and she is incredibly amazing " Sandesh replied back .

"That's true ..... She brings out different shades of him " Sahil said and looked at them when Manik almost caught her . He grabbed her hand and pulled her over him . 

"So now what happened to Miss runner? " he asked playfully and clutched her waist from both hands and pushed her body more on him .

"Leave me " she tried to remove his hands but his hold got more tighter. 

"Nope ..... And now u will lit cigar for me " holding her from one hand , he took out cigar from other hand and kept that between his lips .

"I am not doing it " she said stubbornly. 

"Then I am not leaving you " he said and brought his face close to her making her froze on her place . She always gets affected by his proximity.

"Okay" she said timidly and he smirked , he never liked to lose then be it anything . He won this time too .

She tip toed being in his hold then pressing the knob of lighter she lit cigar which was between his lips , she didn't missed to noticed how inviting his thin pink lips were but she controlled . He puffed the cigar , the way he smoke, that cigar between his slender fingers nd puff leaving from his mouth, could make any woman wet.  For the first time she found someone looking sexy while smoking .

"Ahem ahem " she coughed again and he loosened his grip on her waist.

"I can't drive if u keep smoking " she said seriously looking at him with hopeful eyes .

"Okay ..... Only because we r getting late " this was really shocking that he agreed that too this easily . He himself sat inside the car and she looked towards East in the sky to see the direction of arriving sun but then she realised sun haven't arrived yet . Sad life of her , she wakes up before Sun .

.....................||

Manik went inside the rehab , they got late because of their chasing game but still she pushed him inside and coming back inside the car , she slept on her seat .  She was sleeping comfortably on her driver seat for almost two nd half hours but her sleep got disturbed by continuos ringing of her phone.

"Who is calling in the early morning ?" She said in her sleepy voice with her eyes closed.

"Nandu  , it's me Karan  ....... U remember yesterday I told u to bring Manik at my place " this made her woke up with a jerk. 

"Ohh yeah ....... I remember but r u sure it will be okay ....... See don't take me wrong but it's his personal life and I am his driver ...... I don't think it's good to interfere in his matter , that too in sensitive matter like this ....... He loved ur mother but he never attended her funeral or other rituals so he must have some reasons ...... So bringing him there without his consent don't sounds good to me " she spoke whatever she thought about it .

"Nandini ...... He never attended her funeral because he never got that chance ..... Destiny played nasty games with him ...... And after the years when I know the truth I don't want to snatch his right ..... I want him to perform it for her , he is elder child of house " he spoke with a hope .

"But still I don't think it's my place to interfere " she was hesitant.

"It's upto you ..... But I will request you to bring him here , please ....... It may give him peace which is unknown to him ..... He survived from so many things and it was something which he deserved but never got...... He never got time to say good bye to her on her funeral ..... I hope you will understand " this made her more confused .

"Okay" they cutted the call . She told herself she is doing this for Manik with good intentions and she really hope for good outcome.

She don't know she made a good descion or not . Till yesterday she was sure to help Karan but today when she saw playful Manik , he looked different , he looked not bothered by world , may be he forgot today's day too . For the first time she saw some hope in his life and she don't want to take that away.  But she also understands Karan , he is right at his place and even it's Manik's right , may be that will give him peace , may be that broken child inside him will get closure with his mother . Many thoughts were clouding her mind so she came out of the car to take some fresh air.

.....................||

"So how was the session ?" She asked as soon as he came outside . She was waiting for him .

"Umm u can see I am still alive after that boring session ..... So it was bearable " indeed it was good and relaxing , even he felt he should continue it , he too deserve normal , peaceful life but he won't admit that in front of her. 

"So it was awesome " she assumed. 

"I said it was bearable " he mocked her and she ignored him .

"Umm ...... U look good in my choice  " roaming her eyes , shamelessly over his body , she complemented him and he smiled from inside , he was waiting for this moment.

"Ohh Come on, I look hot in everything ..... I am born handsome" he flaunted his looks with attitude of Manik Malhotra. 

"Ohh but u look cute baby today " she teased him .

"Don't u think Daddy will suit me more than baby  " he whispered huskily in her ear and her jaw was touching the floor because of his dirty talks. 

"Euu" she made disgusted face. 

"What euu ? ...... Don't u do such things with that dwarf ? " He sounded casual but he was curious about her imaginary sex life, where she don't have any answer neither she wants to say truth about her being single . Her phone beeped with a message ' I hope u r coming , priests and me , we r waiting for you both ~ Karan'.

"I am hungry " she changed the topic. Nd he shook his head in disbelief , he realised she must be private person she always gets nervous when it comes to sex.

"It's just 9 am ..... I am not hungry " he said .

"But I am ..... Now come " opening door for him she went to her driver seat and settled inside then he too sat inside the car. She looked at him from front mirror nd saw him relaxing on seat with closed eyes . Taking advantage of it she took the car towards Karan's house unaware of the future happenings.

...................||

Though he was feeling nice and very little hopeful for something after  years in his life but he felt sudden uneasiness , and anxiety started fucking his mind.  Is he unaware of something ? he thought. 

Car just stopped and coming out of his thought he looked outside the car and climbed down only to found himself standing at known place , just outside the Karan's house .

"I am happy to see you here " as soon as Karan saw Manik's car he came running to him and instantly hugged Manik.

But he was too shocked to react , he didn't hugged back but saw the atmosphere almost everyone was wearing white today and it didn't took a minute for him to realise what is today's date . He closed his eyes in frustration that how he can forgot today. 

"Thank you Nandini " he heard Karan thanking Nandini but her eyes were only at him . Within second his heart and mind filled with disappointment , he never expected anything from anyone but for the first time he started believing her but she gave him reason not to trust anyone again though he didn't trusted her completely but she was the only person he wanted to trust .

That look of disappointment in his eyes directly pinched her heart then hurt flashed in his eyes which broke her heart , she realised she did the sin.  The way he took his eyes off her , she knew, she bruitely killed his hope too and now it's impossible to bring goodness out of him because she just awakened the monster in him .

"Manik come inside ..... It's ur right ..... Today they both will get peace " Karan hesitated a bit but dared to talk with Manik . He don't know what will be Manik's reaction he just hope that he would stay calm today .

"Why ?" He asked in unbelievable yet in miserable tone that gave goosebumps to Karan .

"Karan priests are calling you both ..... Hurry up " Alisha came running to them after seeing Manik . She faked innocence to grab their attention , Manik was furious but looking at the crowd he controlled his anger . Alisha took Manik inside by holding his hand and Karan came behind to take Nandini inside. 

"We did very wrong Karan ...... I am sure Manik is going to kill me " she whispered in fear .

"Don't worry I am the first one to get killed ..... I don't know it's right or wrong but mom will feel better she always wanted us to be together after Miya ..... They both will get peace, they loved him the most " he said remembering his mother's words . And she was confused what he is talking and about whom? but before she could asked they reached inside the house and her eyes fell on the arrangements .

Few people were present there , wearing white clothes and in the middle there was Havan Kund and two priests were sitting , chanting mantras.  Behind them there were two photo frames on the table with garlands over their frames.  She got her answer,  who is Miya , her heart broke seeing the photo of very cute nd little girl almost of the age 4/5 . Along with Miya there was a photo frame of his mother , she was beautiful lady . That's why both brothers are handsome . She wondered where is their father but she couldn't dared to ask that question to anyone. 

People over there don't know the relation of Manik and Karan but they knew Karan is his P.A. so when Karan asked Manik to join him in havan , it sounded little bit weird to them but they thought Karan is giving him respect . Even some of them thought they must be brothers as they have same surname but again Karan recently came to Mumbai from Punjab and Manik is living in Mumbai from years .

With a very heavy heart Manik dared to sat there but when he saw the fire in the havan kund he couldn't bear that and he stood up on his place .

"Karan I am sorry but I think u should do it alone ..... They r ur family and it's ur right , it's not my place to interfere ..... I don't want to hurt family traditions ...... So I am here , standing nearby ..... U do it " he spoke with fake sweet voice that worked on others and they praised him for his modesty . Karan was badly hurt when Manik said Ur family but he couldn't go against Manik, so he kept mum .

Nandini looked at the Manik who was standing at the far corner away from crowd and near the stairs , his eyes were blood red and filled with water but he didn't allowed water to slipped down from eyelids.  She saw the strong man like him shivering at his place. That pained look and anger in his eyes was something that scared her so much .

"Bhai please "

"No Miya "

"Bhai please na "

"It's late Miya ..... We will go tomorrow "

"Only for half hour ...... Bhai please , won't u listen to ur baby sis " she spoke so cutely that it became hard for him not to melt.

"Miya mom will scold us ..... And father , he toh will beat me " Manik spoke out his worry . Though he was elder brother of house but he wasn't understanding instead he was passionate , aggressive and courageous but when it comes to his siblings their father used to punish him for listening to their demands. Even he used to warn Miya nd Karan not to spend time with Manik.

"Otay(okay) bhai ..... I am katti with u ..... Now don't baby me" she folded her arms on her chest and showed him that she is upset with him .

"Umm okay then I will go alone " listening to Manik she jumped on him in happiness . Though he was 11 yrs but he was healthier for his age so he could hold her easily .

"Miya be careful baccha " Manik talked to himself and when he saw his arms were empty, she is there only inside that frame and not in real . Guilt overpowered him and his lungs fought for oxygen.  He breathed heavily. 

"Manik are u fine ? ...... I think this smoke is troubling you ...... Come upstairs ..... U can sit in room " Alisha came running to him and said this to him , all the time she was finding opportunity to come near him.  And before Nandini could do something for him he went upstairs with Aalisha .

"Please don't hit him ..... For god's sake he is child ..... Till when u will blame him for that accident ?" Neyonika spoke in favor of Manik because today, exactly after a year on Diya's first death anniversary Shrikant came home at night , he was little bit drunk and when he saw Manik standing near her photo he got very angry and pulling out belt from his pant he started hitting Manik.  After two strokes Neyonika came for his rescue.

"Because of this, piece of shit I lost my only daughter and because of him only my other child is also not staying with me ..... After being father also I am devoid of child's love" he spoke so harshly that Manik shivered and prayed for his death silently .

Yes he prayed for death because he suffered alot in this yr that death seem more peaceful for that 12 yr old child . That day when he lost his sister his world collapsed and when he entered alone inside the house that time he started praying for his death because half of him died out of guilt nd pain of losing her and then his father for first time raised hands on him , he hit Manik with belt in anger so much that blood started coming out from his little body , he screamed and whined but none helped him, not even his brother or mother because they were lost in their pain of losing Diya . His father was always monstrous to him , he used to punish him but he never raised hands on Manik but today he went beyond the level of his sanity.  After that almost everyday couple were fighting and it started affecting the 7 yrs old Karan so after a month Shrikant send him to New York so that he can stay with his aunt and his innocence will remain same.  He protested as he didn't wanted to leave his brother behind but Shrikant filled his ears saying Manik will take his life too just the way he took Miya's . That little boy got scared of his own brother and went away from his family.  After getting beaten bruitely by Shrikant Manik never came out of his room , that day he fainted because of wounds but none cared and next day servants saw him lying unconscious on floor so they helped him and after that he locked himself inside his room for six months . His mother was also depressed and tired of life , her life was miserable from starting but it destroyed the day she lost her daughter because her husband also started hitting her , she was no less she also used to fight back by hitting him with something or kicking him , violence was there but still they survived. 

After six months Neyonika tried helping Manik , but whenever he used to see distrust and look of disappointment in her eyes because she lost other two children of her , it used to break his heart . But still she didn't gave upon him and started spending at least two hours per day with him . He started feeling little bit safe and wanted around her but still he never came out of his room .

Today was Miya's first death anniversary and Shrikant was outside the house whole day , she kept Havan for it and convenience Manik to attend it , she told him that Miya will get peace and will come back to earth again if he will pray for her , and that little kid believed on his mother though he never believed in goodness but he trusted his mother. 

"I didn't killed her , Dad please believe me ..... I am ur child too " Manik pleaded but Shrikant didn't stopped so Neyonika slapped Shrikant in defence of Manik .

"Neyonikaaa" Manik shivered seeing the intensity of anger in Shrikant's voice .

"Mumma" Manik screamed loudly being horrified . He was sitting on the bed . Alisha looked at him being lost in his thoughts so she closed the door and arranged a set up where she can spend time with him. She couldn't do much because the event happening downstairs and also she don't know how he will react , Neyonika is his mother too but she can't let go the opportunity so she stripped her clothes. 

"Manik wanna have some fun " he looked at her who was standing in front of him , only in her innerwear.

"U always wanted me on ur bed , don't you?" He asked in disgusted tone. 

"And now u need it ..... Come on don't behave as saint ..... U don't care about Karan" she too spoke without hesitation and he pulled her towards him and pushed under him on bed .

"Now pray for god to save urself from beast" he warned her and she gave most seductive smile .

"I am already turned on " then he fucked her like a monster. He released all his frustration on her .

.....................||

As soon as guest and priests went out of the house , Nandini ran to Karan who just put some food outside the house , in the lawn so crows could eat it . Though finding crow in Mumbai is near to impossible but he kept food there with hope.

"Karan I am worried ..... Manik was looking very angry and now he is with Aalisha ..... He went upstairs with her but haven't come out " she spoke out of worry and Karan ran inside the house . She frawned why he was so quick but then she thought may be he also thought something dirty . Even the thought of Manik and Alisha doing something nasty came to her mind as it won't be something new for Manik but she hoped that Alisha won't betrayed her boyfriend and even Manik will spare his brother's girl. 

She too went inside the house , she climbed stairs and heard sounds of girl moaning loudly as if enjoying to her fullest . She saw her doubt turning to be real and it hurted more than she expected. She saw Karan banging the door with anger , hurt and disappointment. 

Everytime sex helps Manik to cool his nerves but today nothing like that happened.  Instead it provoked him more , the images of his father having sex with other woman came infront of him , how he had witnessed such scenes in front of his innocent eyes on regular basis when he was child . The crimes he did and the punishment he got just because of some false yet relatable accusations on him made him more vulnerable . The void in his heart nd life of not having family triggered him to the level where he didn't cared that he fucking his brother's girlfriend and he didn't cared how fast and hard he is going on with her . All he could see was injustice and betrayal he got , the only feeling he could feel was the pain in each cell of his body , angered overpowered his senses and guilt of losing mother nd sister made him senseless.

"Manikkkk " Alisha pushed Manik hardly and he came back to reality , he raised his eyebrows at her ,asking ' What?' .

"Karan is outside ...... He is banging door " Manik got up from bed and wore his clothes . Without saying anything to her he opened the door .

His unbuttoned shirt , which is gifted by her , sweaty body and messy hair directly stabbed Nandini's heart . The hot mess named Manik Malhotra was standing there like her worst nightmare . They are not bounded by any confession or relation for her to feel betrayed but seeing love of her life in this state literally hammered every inch of her heart . Her eyes couldn't hold the sight in front of her .

"She is fun as fuck " Manik pulled zip up of his jeans and said these words to Karan.  Which angered Karan .

"How dare you Manik ? ...... She is my girlfriend " he roared at Manik and held collar of his unbuttoned shirt. 

"Yet she wanted me on bed instead of you ..... I pity u brother  " Manik patted his cheeks and gave him sympathetic look which was total fake , which angered Karan more . Manik freed himself and started buttoning his shirt . Also he was aware of the her faltering gaze on him .

"Why Manik ? ...... And how many people u will snatch from me ? ...... How ? ...... Years ago I lost my mother and sister because of you ...... And now my girlfriend too ..... U have snatched every person in my life whom I loved " he vent out his anger on Manik , it was his impulsiveness that he didn't realised what he said.  And when he realised it was too late , the only person who never blamed Manik directly on face for their deaths was Karan but he is not anymore in that list.

"Stay far away from me so that u won't lost ur own self or life because of me " though he threatened Karan but the hurt behind his voice didn't go unnoticed by Karan . It was like he also believed that he is murder , he is already reason behind their broken family and now he accepted that he is toxic for his brother too . In the beginning only , he always pushed Karan away for the same reason .

"And u Miss driver ...... U r fired " and with this he also pushed away the last person from his life who mattered to him .

He walked away leaving her there with uncontrollable tears and broken pieces of her heart, each piece pierced her for different reason . The pain was so much to take that she don't know how to deal with it and what she should be bothered about . She should console another heartbroken person who is standing there? or she should blame that same person for wishing something good for his brother and ending up destroying everything all over again? Or  She should feel devastated to see her lover getting intimate with other woman? or she should feel his pain which destroyed him beyond repairs? or she should feel disgusted with a person who used his brother's girl ? or she should blame herself for doing something with good intentions which gave disenchantment to everyone?

It's not always possible to be morally and emotionally right at same time.

........................End................||

Let me know if you found any mistake.

How was the chapter?

..................Aish ❣️...................