Murthy Mansion
6:30am
Sunday

Nandini was lying on her bed. She was wide awake looking out through the curtains clutching the sheets tightly to herself. It was the 6th of October and a chilly morning. The day's weather was not so cold but the mornings were horrible. Her sleep broke because of her phone, she had to mail some files to her manager of the NYC branch. Now devoid of further sleep, she was lazying on the bed, thinking of her life how it has changed in these 2 months. She could not meet Manik often because of the busy schedule both were having, but they talked everyday at night before going to sleep and in the morning wishing each other a bright day. They have shared many things with each other but she could not muster enough courage to tell him about her past. But he was understanding. She still remembers how he once said that he trusts her and no past of her can affect their relationship. This relaxed her a bit but she decide to soon break the ice. She was waiting for a chance to tell him everything. But not to deny she was a bit scared. Their relationship has grown in these past months. She has started feeling an unknown trust on him. A trust that he will never leave her. She hadnt told Manik about it but she knows that he knows.
And about him, he treated her with utmost care. He even confessed his heart to her.

Flashback
Manik and Nandini were sitting on the beach. They were on a late night stroll on the beach as both were not sleepy and decided to meet and talk as Manik wanted to tell her something. Since they came there there was only silence. Not an awkward one. But the silence that speaks a lot.

They were sitting looking at the sea when suddenly Nandu felt Manik taking her hand in his. She looked at him to find him holding her hand but looking straight at the sea. She smiled and turned her gaze back to the sea when Manik spoke

Manik: Nandu, mujhe tumse kuch kehna tha.

Nandu: Hmm. Main sun rahi hun.

Manik: Nandu jab bhi main tumhare saath hota hun, ek alag sukoon milta hai. Tum hasti ho to aisa lagta hai jaise sab kuch achanak se khubsurat ho gaya hai. Par tumhare ankhen jab sad ho jati hai tab mere dil mein dard hota hai. (He turned to Nandu who was looking at him with surprise.) Pata hai aisa kyun horaha hai mere saath?

Nandu couldnt speak anything. She was stunned by Manik's honest confession. She just nodded her head in no. Manik smiled and cupped her face. He looked in her eyes intensely and said

Manik: I am falling for you Nandu. I am falling hard for you.

Nandu: Manik?

Manik: Haan Nandu main..main tumse py...

Nandu put her hands on his mouth and cut him off. Her eyes had become teary and there was a small smile on her lips.

Nandu: Aise mat kaho. Take it slow Manik. I want both of us to confess our feelings together Manik. I want it to be special. But...

Manik: I know. I know you need time. And I also dont want to rush in anything. I promise it will be special. And haan wo din dur nahin jab you will fall for The Manik Malhotra's charms.( he said this with a playful smirk)

Nandu smile cutely at him and nodded her head in no. Manik raised his eyebrow in confusion.

Nandu: I dont want to fall for The Manik Malhotra's charms. I want to fall for My Manik's love. I want to fall for that Manik who is only for me and not for this whole world. My Monster.

Manik smiled widely at her confession. He kissed her forehead. Then he did something which shocked her. He kissed her cheek.

Manik: You are so cute that I feel like gobling you up.

Nandu blushed hard at his comment.

Manik: Haye! Your these red red cheeks make you more cute. ( He went near her ear and wishpered in a husky voice which made Nandu feel goosebumps at the back of her neck) You know what, red is my favourite colour.

Nandu blushed harder at this. Unable to control she got up and ran away.

Manik: Are are ruko Nandu! Kahan chali?

He broke into laughter seeing her but then smiled sweetly rubbing his nape.

Flashback over

Nandu was lying there thinking of this when her trail of her thoughts were broken by a phone. She picked up the phone irritated but on seeing the caller id her lips curved into a smile. She recieved the call.

Nandu: Hello Manik!

Manik: Hello Shona.( Well thats what he has started calling her. He said that as she was so cute, this cute sa name suited her the best. Well Nandu was more than happy to be called that.) Waise Good morning.

Nandu: Good morning. Achha bolo kyun call kiya?

Manik: (dramatically) Matlab? Ab kya main apni hone wali patni ko bina wajah call bhi nahin kar sakta?

Nandu: Oh hello, subhe subhe tumme Veer bhai ki aatma ghus gayi hai kya jo itna drama kar rahe ho.

Manik: Offo Shona. Wo sab chhodo ye batao tumhe aaj kitne baje pick karne aun?

Nandu: (confused) Pick karne? Kis liye?

Manik: Yaar phirse bhul gayi? Kitni bhulakkad hogayi ho? Obviously ye sab tumhare pagalon ke doctor hone ke side effects hai.

Nandu: Shut up! Mere proffession ko kuch mat kehna.

Manik: (acting innocent) Are maine kya galat kaha. Psychiatrist matlab jo psycho ko treat kare na. ( He burst out laughing)

Nandu: (whinning) Manik!!

Manik: Ok ok. Ms Bhulakkad. Aj hamari pehli date hai. Yaad aya?

Nandu: Are haan! Main kaise bhul gayi. Janab ne mujhe pehli baar officially date ke lie invite kiya hai.

Manik: Ok to batao kab aun tumhe lene?

Nandu: Ummm...12 baje. You know tab tak main kuch kaam bhi nipta lungi.

Manik: Done phir main thik 12 baje pahunch jaunga.

They then talked for somewhile and then cut the phone. Nandu got up from the bed and went to her terrace that was attached to her room and stood there leaning on to railing enjoying the cool breeze.

Nandu

She went and sat on the swing.

Nandini's pov

Life has changed so much. But still I remember that day when I saw him and his daughter. Aiyappa he has not changed a bit. He is still the same. That evil minded person because of whom I suffered, my family suffered..urghhh.... how can someone be so heartless. No Nandu he is no one to you. Dont cry.( She wiped the tear drop that had fallen from her eyes.) No Aiyappa. I promise I will be strong. I will keep the promise I gave to Bhai that day.

Flashback

Nandu was sobbing sitting on the washroom floor while Navya was still in shock. She came out of her trance to see that Nandu had fallen unconscious. She panicked and called Abhi.
Phone convo
Abhi: Hello haan bol.

Navya: Abhi wo Nannu...

Abhi: Kya hua Navu? Tu itni pareshan kyun lag rahi hai?

Navu: Abhi sun, tu jaldi se ladies washroom mein ajaa. Nannu behosh ho gayi hai. Aur han is baare mein kisi ko mat batana. Sirf hamare siblings ko chhodke. Bhabion ko bhi nahin.

Saying this she cut the call.

Abhi called Yug, Anant, Vishal and Jeevika and asked them to come to Nandu's apartment quickly without informing anyone. Here Abhi went to Navya , picked Nandu and sneaked out of the party without anyone noticing and took her to her apartment.

They went to Nandu's flat which was on the 23rd floor to find them already present there. All panicked seeing seeing Nandu in this state. Abhi took her in and lay her on her bed.

Yug: Kya hua Shia ko?

Navya: Panick attack.

Anant: Panick attack? Par use achanak itne dinon baad panick attack kyun aya?

Navya: Wo .... wo...

Jeevika: Nivi bolegi bhi? Kyun aya ise attack? Kya hua tha iske saath?

Navya: Wo Di wo she met him.

Abhi: Met whom?

Navya: Vivek Murthy.

To say all were shocked would be an understatement. They were numb. No. This cant happen. He cant come back in her life. Their sister's life. For all of them, Nandu was their life. Their happiness depended on her smile. No one can steal that from her. They all looked at Nandu who was still unconscious because of her attack.
..
..
..
Nandu woke up the next morning to see herself lying on her bed..no correction.. her bed in her apartment and not Murthy Mansion. And moreover she was still in her engagement dress. She stood up holding her head which was paining like hell. She saw the time and saw it was 7:15 am. She went to the balcony to see Navya and Abhi sleeping there clutching blankets. They had even not changed their party clothes. She went and woke them up.

Navya: Are Nandu tu uth gayi?

Nandu: Han par main yahan kaise ayi? Wo kal raat to wo party mein...

She stopped as she remembered everything that happened last night.

Abhi: Relax Nandu. Tu ek kaam kar. Ja fresh hoja aur ye change karle ok. Phir baat karte hain. Baaki sab bhi yahin hai.

Nandu: Baaki sab!

Navya: Relax Nannu. Baaki sab matlab sirf ham sab siblings ok. Aur koi nahin jaanta is baare mein. Dont worry. Waise bhi ab is jagah ke baare mein bhi koi nahin jaanta.

Nandu: Hmm.

Abhi: Ok. Babydoll ab tu jaa freshen hoja aur sun hamare kapde bhi nikal dena.

Nandu: Ok.

Nandu's apartment was known only to the seven siblings. It was the place where they came when they needed some siblìng time or had to talk about their secret. All had rooms here. Nandu, Navu and Abhi shared a room always while there were two more rooms for the others.

Yug and Anant's room

Vishal and Jeevika's room

Nandu gave their clothes to Navya and Abhi who went out to freshen up in other rooms while Nandu went to her washroom.

She came out fresh.

Nandu

Nandu came out of her room to see everyone freshened up and sitting in the living room.

She gave them all a smile and went to the kitchen to prepare coffee. Navya and Jeevika joined her.

They made coffee and came out. They sat on the sofas sipping their coffee. Everyone was silent. Yug decide to break it.

Yug: Guys we need to talk.

All except Nandu nodded. She was scared of talking about that topic as that not only brought his memories but also some other very horrible memories. She shifted uneasily at her place. Yug went to her and sat on his knees infront of her holding her hand.

Yug: Shia meri taraf dekh.(Nandu looked at him.) I know tu pareshan hai kal se. Wajah bhi pata hai mujhe. Infact ham sab ko pata hai. Par ek baat bata. Kya tujhe ham sab bharosa hai?

Nandu: Ye aap kya keh rahe ho Bhai?

Vishal: Nahin Chhoti. Aaj tu bata tujhe hampe bharosa haina.

Nandu: BB mujhe aap sab pe bahut bharosa hai. Infact khud se jyada bharosa mujhe aap logon par hai. Isi bharose ke sahare hi to jee rahi hun.

Anant: To bas agar hampe bharosa hai to ye yaad rakh. Tere ye char bhai aur do behenein tujhe kabhi kuch nahin hone denge.

Jeevika: Haan chhoti. Tu na uske baare bhul jaa. Kal jo halat teri hui...tujhe pata hai hamari halat kya hui tujhe aise dekhke?

Navya: Meri to jaan hi nikal gayi jab tu behosh ho gayi.

Yug: Shia tujhe pata haina ki tu ham sab ki jaan hai. Tujhpe ek bhi aanch ayi na to hamme se koi bardasht nahi kar payega. Vaada kar mujhse ki tu kabhi uss baat ke baare mein soch kar weak nahin hogi. Tu meri sherni hai. Wo ladki jo kisiko bhi sabak sikha sakti. Tu kabhi haar nahin manegi. Vaada kar.

Nandu: Main vaada karti hun Bhai. Main hamesha strong rahungi. Nandu promise.

They all group hugged smiling.

Flashback over.

Hmm. Nandu tu weak nahi hai. Tu tere Bhai ki sherni hai. Hmm.

Waise after that day I have not seen him or that 2kg makeup wali daughter of his. Achha hi hai. Ghar mein itni khushi hai. Aiyappa yeh khushi aise hi barkarar rakhna. Har din ham haste to jaroor hai. Akhir Saanchi bhabi ke mood swings Bhaiyu ki itni band jo bajate hai. Are are main to aapko batana hi bhul gayi. Saanchi bhabi is 4 months pregnant. Achha maine aapko pehle nahin bataya tha 2 months ago that she was pregnant then? Ok ok bhul gayi hogi. Waise shayad Manik sahi keh raha tha. Mai na bhulakkad ho gayi hun. Are bhulne se yaad aya mujhe to aaj Saanchi bhabi ke liye Death by Chocolate cake banana tha. Unhe kal raat ko craving hui thi. Aur maine aaj bananeko kaha tha. Aaj toh main pakka gayi. Saanchi Bhabi to aaj mera cake banake mujhe hi kha jaegi. Aiyappa!
Pov over

She rushed to the washroom and came out ready.

She saw the time. It was 9 :00 am. She rushed downstairs and greeted everyone and straight went to the kitchen to see Anjali and Kumudh already busy making breakfast.

Nandu: Saanchi Bhabi uth gayi kya?

Kumudh: Haan uth gayi hai. Bahar garden mein Dadu ke saath walk pe hai.

Nandu: Thank God yahan nahin hai. Warna mera band baja deti. Unka cake jo banana bhul gayi.

All three laughed and Nandu started preparing the cake. One hour later she had prepared the cake and even decorated it. She brought it out and placed it onthe dinning table.

Shubham: Wow Boo! Cake! Mujhe do na.

Nandu: Milega baby. Tumhe to zaroor milega. Par yeh cake na Chachi ke lie.

Shubham: Kyun aaj Chachi ka Birthday hai kya?

Nandu: Nahin baby. Par Chachi ke andar chhota champ hai na. To use na cake khana hai. To uske liye bana rahe hai.

Shubham: Ooo. To ye meri sister ke lie hai.

Nandu: Aapko kaise pata ki sister hi hai brother nahin?

Shubham: Are kyunki mujhe sister chahiye na. Aur maine to aapke Aiyappa se bhi request kiya hai ki wo mujhe aapki jaisi ek chhotu sister de.

Nandu: Aww. Phir to sister hi hogi. Aiyappa aap jaise cute baby ki baat zaroor manenge.

Everyone joined the dining table. Seeing the cake Saanchi squealed.

Saanchi: Nandu! I sooooo love you. Tune sachmen mera cake banaya.

And then she took a piece of cake and gave one to Shubham.

Saanchi: Chalo champ ham dono milke cake khate hain. Tumhare is Chachu ko jaane do.

Anant: Are kyun? Death by Chocolate mera favourite hai ok. To mujhe pehle milna chahiye na.

Saanchi: Nahin tumhe bilkul nahin milega. Tum bahut bure ho.

Yug: Kyun bhai Saanchi madam? Ab kya gustakhi ho gayi hamare bhai se?

Saanchi: Bhaiya pata hai? Main kal se isse keh rahi hun ki main office jaungi par ye hai ki maan hi nahin raha?

Anant: Bhai ap hi bolo. Main kaise ise office jaane dun? Kal ye office mein faint ho gayi thi. Khud ka khyal to rakhti nahin.

Yug: Dont worry Anu. Main ispe nazar rakhunga ok.

Nandu: Haan Bhaiyu office jaane do. Ghar mein baith ke bore ho jaegi. Kam se kam office ke kaamon main busy rahegi to khush rahegi.

Anant: Ok.

They completed their breakfast.

Kumudh: Are Nandu tujhe tayar nahin hona kya? Manik ata hi hoga.

Nandu: Are haan! Main to gayi aaj. Yeh monster sach mein mujhe keema banake kha jayega. Bye guys. Main chali.

Ok bahut ho gaya. Ab ham bhi chalte hain. Looong chappy pure 2600 words.

Well I was not fully convinced with the response in my previous chappy. But phir bhi updated this one.

How was for Manan confession?

Few lines for the sibling's bond.

Few lines for Anchi nokjhok.

Lastly please more votes and comments. Pretty please......

Bye.