Cabir's POV

Life was never easy. We had been struggling since childhood and when finally life was giving us some happiness it was snatched away, yet again.

After Lily shot Nandini we had been so focused on her that we forgot that Lily was still there and alive. Manik stood frozen on his spot looking all pale staring at Nandini. Next when I saw Lily aiming her gun at Nandini again, I went numb. I couldn't even say anything when we heard another gunshot.

I stared at Navya shocked who was now holding a gun in her hands as Lily's body fell down with a thud. This broke Manik's reverie and without wasting a second he was beside Nandini.

Why did God had to be so cruel when finally Manik was getting love in his life it was all ruined, again. When finally I got a baby sister, it was all ruined, again.

Navya started having contractions and although it was before time we had to rush hospital. We took both Navya and Nandini to the hospital but when we arrived there they said Nandini's condition was very critical and she had less chances of survival. She had lost a lot of blood and the doctors said that this was the second time she was shot and the blood loss was too much.

Where on one hand Nandini was losing her life, on the other hand Navya was screaming and crying while giving birth to a new one. Manik was sitting lifeless in one place as if nothing mattered to him anymore.

When we finally heard a cry from one room the same moment doctor came out of the ICU as we rushed to him but he sighed and shook his head.

The only thing registered in our minds was his "I'm sorry" which broke us, shattered our lives completely. As I looked over at Manik his face gave away nothing. It was blank. He wasn't the same Manik anymore.

Suddenly he walked away with his defeated shoulders and I followed him to know where he was going. He entered Navya's room and I sighed painfully. I walked over to Navya who was eager to know about Nandini's health. She clutched my hands tightly asking me and I shook my head with a tear falling from my eyes.

A sob broke out from her mouth as she buried her face in my chest and cried. I too hugged her tightly bearing the pain in me.

We saw Manik nearing the baby's crib with slow steps. He picked her up and settled her in his arms.

"It's a babygirl Cabir! You were right!" Manik said with a slight smile.

It was the first time I saw him happy after whatever happened. I too smiled looking at them and Navya rested her head on my heart.

"Can I name her?" He asked still staring at her.

"Yes!" Navya whispered with a smile.

"Nandini!" He announced and I gulped.

"Nandini it is!" I choked agreeing with my buddy.

"She isn't gone Cabir! She is here with us! She came back!" He said in a broken whisper and I saw my baby holding Manik's finger in her sleep.

After that we returned home as Navya was discharged. All the time Manik kept his little Nandini close to his heart. It was like he had promised himself to never hurt her or let anyone hurt her ever.

Two Years Later

"Where is my little Nandini?!" Manik said as he pretended to look for her here and there.

A giggle escaped from someone's mouth from under the table. I watched the scene sitting on the couch of the living room as Manik acted to find her somewhere else.

"And here she is!" He startled her suddenly crouching on his knees looking under the table.

Nandini shrieked in her baby voice giggling uncontrollably as Manik picked her in his arms twirling her in the air.

It has been two years since that incident which changed our lives. Manik and I left the Mafia world now living a normal life since this angel entered our lives. We started our own business hoping for a new start. Although Manik still misses Nandini he never shows it on his face. He keeps himself busy in work and sometimes with this little one.

"Manik!" I called him and he looked at me.

"Let's go! Lunch is ready!" I said and he sighed walking towards me with Nandini in his arms.

"Da-da!" She flapped her arms in the her excitedly telling me to take her and I gladly did.

"Buddy I'm not hungry! You and Navya have it!" Saying so Manik left upstairs leaving me disappointed behind. He had been doing this from the last few days.

At the same time Rishabh came down and I called him.

"Rishabh come let's have lunch champ!" He stared at me for few seconds, his eyes moving to Nandini who was staring at him innocently. He sighed nodding a yes which made me smile.

Giving the news of Nandini to Rishabh was not easy. He loved her way too much to let her go. He stayed in his room for two continuous days not letting anyone in and then Manik decided to talk to him. He had moved inside the room but not alone, with the little Nandini in his arms. She was everyone's weakness as Rishabh finally decided to let it all out.

Lastly Alex, he was also very affected as he refused to eat anything. The day Nandini and Navya were kidnapped, Alex was found in a room which was locked from outside. His health had been deteriorating as he kept sitting in Manik's room with sad eyes.

"Da-da!" My trance was broken when Nandini nudged her little finger on my face. I looked at her who was staring at me with her big doe eyes.

"So does my baby wants to go and get Manik uncle down?" I asked holding her tiny hand and she giggled.

"Let's go then!" I moved upstairs towards Manik's room while Nandini rested her head on my shoulder.

The door was slight ajar so I pushed it more open to see Manik sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I miss you Nandini! Please come back. I can't live without you! It's been two years! Don't you think it is enough? This ..This life has no meaning without you! I know you want to see me happy but how can I when my happiness lies in you! You are the one that makes me happy! I don't want to pretend anymore Nandini! I don't!" I heard Manik pouring his heart out and this was the first time my baby saw him like this as he had asked us not to ever let Nandini enter his room.

She was staring at him innocently which made my heart melt.

"Da-da! Manit untel sal! (Manik uncle sad)" She said in her toddler voice and I sighed moving inside with her.

"Manik!" I called and he looked up.

"Cabir!" He said surprised as he stood up and walked to us.

"Buddy what are you doing here? I had asked you not to bring Nandini here right!?" He scolded and before I could say anything my baby did.

"No! No!" She said hugging me and we both were confused.

"No stolding (scolding) Da-da!" She pouted and we chuckled.

"Princess come here!" Manik said as he took her in his arms and she immediately started playing with the thread around his neck.

"Do you know who she is?" Manik said pointing at Nandini's photos. She stared at the photos and maybe her eyes twinkled.

"Nan-nini!" She said excitedly flapping her arms and we both stood shocked.

"Don't be so shocked! She knows her! I won't want my baby to not know who she is!" Navya said from behind.

Manik then walked towards the bed and sat down putting Nandini on the bed as she crawled a little away.

"Navya when did this happen?" I whispered to Navya who stood beside me.

"Why? When we were having our mother-daughter time I can tell her about her Nandini aunt right!" She said and I smiled at her.

"Nan-nini! Nan-nini! Wakey wakey!" We saw our little angel caressing Nandini's cheeks which were now pale. She leaned forward and placed a wet kiss on her cheek making our hearts melt at her innocent acts. The next thing she did made us all gasp as she moved on top of her and placed her head on her heart hugging her.

My eyes teared up seeing my daughter trying to wake up her aunt who was now in deep sleep.

"Navya!" I gestured Navya to take Nandini when I saw Manik looking at her with longing.

Navya moved forward to take her but she was reluctant as she clung on to her aunt not leaving her.

"No! No!" She said and hugged her even tightly with her tiny arms.

I heard Manik gasp and I looked at him only to see him staring at somewhere. I followed his eyes and saw him staring at Nandini's hands. And it happened! Nandini's fingers moved slightly.

With great difficulty she opened her eyes and looked down at her angel. A small smile took over her face as she stared at her.

"H-Hi Nandini!" She said and a toddler smile replaced on my daughter's face.

The moment was very precious where my two precious angels were all smiles. I couldn't have been more happy than in this moment.

"Nan-nini!" My daughter grinned and again pressed a sloppy kiss on her cheek making her chuckle.

"Nandini!" Navya whispered staring at her with glossy eyes. She just bent down and kissed her forehead sobbing a little. I walked towards them and placed a kiss on Nandini's forehead despite the tears that flowed down my face. Nandini smiled at me weakly but I couldn't.

I looked over at Manik and I knew he needed to be assured that she was here. She was back! For him! I gestured Navya who took Nandini in her arms as we quietly exited the room leaving the two souls to unite once again.

"I'm so happy Cabir!" Navya said as she placed her head on my shoulder.

"Me too Navya! Me too!" I said closing my eyes when I felt small fingers wiping my tears.

"Me thlee!" My baby giggled as she wiped Navya's tears as well.

"My princess! Dada loves you!" I said as I kissed my baby's face.

"Nan-nini loves Da-da too!" She replied in her toddler voice.

"And Mumma?" Navya pouted and I chuckled.

"Nan-nini loves Mumma too!" She replied innocently thinking her mommy felt bad.

Truly said children are God's sent angels!

~~~

Babies are like little suns that, in a magical way, bring warmth, happiness and light into our lives!