After having lunch the Malhotras were going home

"Happy Birthday Maa" Advay again wished Nandini kissing her cheeks and giving her his card

"Aadi you are wishing Di for the 100th time" Rishab teased him as Advay pouted looking at Nandini

"He learns from the best" Nandini said kissing Advay's cheeks saying a Thank you and Manik grined remembering her first Birthday they celebrated in Mangalore

"Oooooo" Rishab and Avni 'o' giggling as Advay looked at them confused

"Yeh compliment kiske liye tha?" Rishab asked making Avni laugh and MaNan blush

"Shut up!" Nandini tried to glare at them.

They reached home and Manik parked the car in the basement. They got down and made way to the lift when a guard came running to them. 

"Ma'am koi aaya tha yeh dekar gaya hai" he said giving Nandini a bag

Confused Nandini took the bag and thanked the guard

"Kya hai?" Manik asked her holding the lift door for her

"Don't know" she said getting in the lift and the door closed

She opened the bag, it was a box, looked like some jewelry. She opened the box to see a wristlet and then in the other box they were earrings, both were made of diamond and platinum, looking very expensive.

Puzzled she looked at the box which had nothing but a note 'Happy Birthday Nandini'

She looked in the bag and found another note. 

'Dear Nandini,

We know we lost the right but would like to wish you all the happiness and love in your life. Thank you for being there for our Manik.

With Love,

Raj And Neyonika.'

She looked at Manik who was busy talking to the kids and quickly packed everything. Her rushed actions took his attention but till then she had already packed the boxes in the bag

"Kya tha?" he asked

"A business associate sent wishes with a gift" she replied as he nodded getting back in conversation with Advay. She wanted to tell him, and she will, just not today. Today when she could see him so happy

The lift 'binged' opening the door in their penthouse. Everyone dispersed to get ready for 'Movie Time' in their pajamas

Nandini kept the bag in her wardrobe and went to change as Manik was freshening up

When Avni walked in the living area to find no one, she made way near the TV and opened the shelf which had all the movie collection, she was sorting out the movies when she heard someone walk in, she looked up to find Manik giving her a smile and sitting on the sofa

"Maa?" she asked

"Making Advay ready" he said as Avni walked to him with the movies for him to select one, she sat near his leg on the floor

Looking at the movies Manik started to crease her hairs as she rested her head on his lap

"Everything is ok in college Kiddo?" Manik asked her, and she knew this was coming

"Haan Dad, nothing I could not handle" she said as Manik gave her his total attention 

"You trust me na?" she asked him

"I do, I know you are strong enough" he said creasing her hairs

"But I wanted you to know, you have us now, if you need us you just have to say" he continued

"I know" she said snuggling in his lap making him smile

Manik was playing with her hairs as she rested in his lap, they heard Advay's giggles as he came running

"Coco, Dad we'll watch Coco" he said climbing on Manik

"No Aadu, Maa will decide today what we will watch, it's her birthday" Manik said making him sit on his stomach

"Oki" Advay said and started to play with Avni's hairs like Manik

They saw Nandini and Rishab coming together, it looked like they were having some talk before they walked in. Manik gestured Nandini and she smiled letting him know everything was good.

"Maa come na jaldi, jaldi. Let's watcha movie" Advay said like an excited soul making everyone laugh. Nandini sat beside Manik and Rishab took a seat beside Avni. They started to watch Coco on Nandini's instance, no doubt like mother like son, Manik thought.

When they were done watching some four movies, talking and laughing together Avni excused herself and came back with a cake she baked for Nandini

They did the cake cutting and feed each other cakes having lots of fun and then played games and had their small party

Watching another movie they had their dinner with more cake. While the seventh movie Manik observed everyone dozing off. He asked Rishab to take Advay to his room and picked Avni as Nandini lay half sleepy on the couch

He kept Avni on her bed and tucked her in blankets

"Dad don't worry about me" Avni said making him smile

"I don't, I trust Arav he won't let anything happen to you" he said making her smile

"I like him, excluding the fact that one day he is going to take you away from me, I really like him" he said making her giggle

"I love you Paa" she said slipping in a deep slumber

"Love you too Kiddo" he said kissing her forehead. Switching off the lights he came out of the room to find Nandini sitting and looking around

"They were on edge to pass out so sent them to their rooms" he said taking her attention and sat besides her

"What did she say?" Nandini asked keeping her head on his shoulder

"She said it's nothing that she can't handle" he said and she leaned on him

"I'll ask and reconfirm with Arav though, I know he won't put her in danger" he said kissing Nandini's crown

"How is Rishab?" he asked

"He is pretty good. I thought with all the age gap and late education he will feel under confident but I guess he loves his work" she said

"I told him to work as my PA, but you Murty's you have ego issues" Manik said making a bad face

"Manik he wants to...."

"To do things his way and make his career" ge said finishing her line

"I know" he looked at her and she was already looking at him

"That's why I am happy he is working under Shivay, Shivay usse bahut se chuke sikhayega" he added as she smiled

"Sona nahi Nandu" he said when he felt her closing her eyes and she looked at him

He picked her in bridal style and took her to their room. He made her stand out of the door and gestured to her to open the door. Nandini slowly opened the door and peeked in 

The room was dimly lit and she could see roses and petals all around. She stepped in to hit by the fragrance of candles and turned at Manik wait an impressed face

He gestured her something besides the bed, she turned to see 'Happy Birthday' written with rose petals, it made her smile, a broad smile

She felt him back hugging her and resting his chin on her shoulder

"Happy Birthday" he wished her again

"Thank you" she whispered back to him

"Time to clear some dues baby" he said picking her up as she was surprised

"Manikkk!" she yelled in surprise before he shut her with his lips

Niharika nudged her as Avni was almost dozing in Raj's lecture

Niharika saw Raj looking at Avni's direction for the third time as she dozed

"Ni he knows you are sleeping" Niharika said in hush voice

"Hmm" Avni nooded, she had a major headache maybe because of her less sleep. This lecture was not supposed to happen, but here she was attending a 7o' clock lecture when she was supposed to sleep. It was a late night yesterday and she was tired!

"Kitna time hai aur?" she asked Niharika 

"30 more minutes" Niharika said looking at her watch

Suddenly they heard Raj's phone ring, he ignored it at first but late when it continuously rang he picked it up excusing from the class

After 10 minutes he returned

"I have to end this lecture here" he announced

"Avni!" he called taking attention of the dozing Avni

"Collect everyone's paper and get it to my cabin" he ordered and left.

Collecting all the papers of the last day assignment Avni lazily trailed to Raj's cabin

She knocked on the door and peeped in only to see two people looking at her. On was Raj and the other man, he was of Raj's age maybe elder to Raj, he wore an expensive suit and had strict eyes, his grey hairs were neatly combed and his aura screamed class

"Sir" Avni tore her eyes from the an and to Raj

"Come in" Raj gave her the permission, she kept the papers on the table and waited for Raj to say something

"You aren't well today?" Raj asked her checking if everyone submitted the paper

"Kind off" Avni said and then looked at the man seating in the office looking at her with an unknown expression

"So go home and take care, should I call Arav?" Raj asked as she nodded a yes, he gestured her to seat on one of the couch in his cabin

She took her seat observing the old man still looking at her

"That is Avni, my student " Raj said observing the man was looking at Avni

"He is Mr Deshmukh, our lawyer" he said to Avni who nodded and passed a smile to Advocate Deshmukh

"Avni" the man said looking at Avni but there was something in his eyes.

Meanwhile Raj called Arav, he wasn't picking up so he dropped in a text to him 'Avni isn't feeling well, she is in my cabin, take her home once you are free'

"Sare documents thik hai, but aapko aane ki jarurat nahi thi, kisi ke haat bhijwa dete" Raj said to Mr Deshmukh

They got discussing something regarding few legalities of the company, Mr Deshmukh glanced at the side and looked at Avni, a smile made up his lips

Talking regarding a few clauses when Raj didn't get Mr Deshmukh's attention, he looked at him, that smile on his face was so warm, something Raj was seeing after years. He followed Mr Deshmukh's line of vision only to land on Avni, who had curled herself in a ball on the sofa and was fast asleep. This made him smile too.

"She has a pure innocent face" Raj commented making Mr Deshmukh look at him, with a tinge of sadness in his eyes

They got back to work, it was after fifteen minutes when someone bragged in Raj's cabin

"Sir you messaged..." Arav stopped seeing Avni sleeping on the sofa

"Is she ok" he rushed to her and checked her forehead only to sign in relief as her temperature was normal

"I don't know" Raj said and Mr Deshmukh looked at the exchange

"Must have had a late night, she needs her sleep, I'll take her home" Arav said giving Raj a thankful smile

"Does she know you love her alot?" Raj asked and laughed at the end and Arav looked at him wide eye

"What you thought I won't get ki tumhari duniya kon hai, the way you look at her gives it all" he said patting Arav's shoulder embarrassed Arav looked everywhere but at Raj and that's when he saw Me Deshmukh, the old man had a bitter expression on her face and eyes were having a far look as if remembering something

"I'll just call my driver" He said an excused himself from the sudden awkward situation as his lady love slept selling horses

Rishab entered the kitchen to look for something to eat when he saw the note on the fridge

'Whoever reading this note is has the responsibility to tell everyone I had an early morning class all of a sudden so I am attending that, no need to freak out, I'll be back around 11, probably even before anyone is up -Avni'

He laughed at the note, she was telling the truth. They had a late night and if not for his continuous ringing phone, he must be sleeping to as Shivay was out of town for some meeting, he had an off today

He opened the fridge when he heard Keren

"Boss's only enemy wants to enter the penthouse, should I give him access Champ" 

"Who?" Rishab asked confused

"Arav" Keren replied

"Oh give him the access Keren" Rishab said taking a juice and making way to the living room

"What happened?" he kept the juice on the table and rushed to Arav as Avni was in his arms

"Oh she is just sleeping" he assured Rishab

"Had a late night?" he asked and Rishab nodded as they made way to her room

"With all concerns, you should know Manik Bhai can just kick you if he sees this" Rishab said as Arav laid Avni on her bed

"I know" Arav said grining

"I know you love her but keep your hands to yourself atleast here" Rishab said rolling his eyes as Arav looked at him wide eyes

"What the way you look at her gives it out" he added

"Not that line please" Arav goaned 

"Who said it?" Rishab asked laughing

"Raj Malhotra" Arav said as Rishab laughs died

"He said that to you!" he exclaimed

"Who said what to whom" they heard someone only to freeze