Hello Fam :)

I am really sorry I am unable to reply to the comments because of my schedule but I really read them and love you all. 

Last update of 2019. Who's excited for the next year? :)

Happy Reading...

Cabir and Nandini were surprised. They looked at Manik and then at each other in turns.

"It was you in the car?", asked Nandini to Manik.

"Yes and I am the one who impressed you with my mind-blowing racing skills", said Cabir, jumping in. "I still can't believe it's you."

Manik frowned. Cabir was staring at Nandini as if she were his favorite show on the National Geographic Channel. He sat beside his brother after Cabir inelegantly flopped down at Nandini's side.

Nandini raised an eyebrow. "You are flirting with me ever since we met in college. I would rather recommend you to keep a check on your words."

"That's fine", said Cabir, brushing her question away. "But I am not taking back my opinion about the race. Are you a racer?"

Nandini shrugged. "No. You aren't either. I don't need to be a racer to beat you", she said.

"The smart head girl of college is an extraordinary racer by night. Impressive. But I didn't get it why you screamed a 'thank you' at the end", asked Cabir.

"Because it's me who usually roam on the roads whenever I need to breathe. Today the speed helped me smile and the reason is you. So, thank you", explained Nandini.

Manik noticed something was off about her. "Are you okay?", he muttered. The words escaped even before he could control and it gained attention from both Cabir and Nandini.

"Manik?", called Nandini.

The softness in her tone startled him. He felt as if a stranger was trapped inside Nandini's body. He shook his head. It wasn't a fantasy novel going on and he realized she was waiting for him to speak so does Cabir. "You were on the roads at night trying to breathe and smile. Are you really okay?"

There was a moment's silence in which Manik panicked. The last thing he wanted was a misunderstanding between him and Nandini which would lead to another argument between them. He had one before and he felt the trauma would last for a lifetime. "No. I am not judging you or trying to make any conclusion. I was just-". He trailed off failing to find the proper words. Nandini was a stranger to him and he wanted to escape to the comfort of his room but the girl was looking so helpless that he wanted nothing but to comfort her. It was a strange feeling. The only person who came close to that feeling in his heart was his baby brother and it was just easy with him. He didn't dare to make any eye contact with the two persons present beside him, being scared of revealing his strange thoughts to them.

Nandini chuckled. "Relax hero. I am fine."

"So you are fine and racing on roads with random people and screaming thank you's and trying to get oxygen", said Cabir.

Nandini sighed. "I have two crazy human beings dancing on my head and trying very hard to control my life. Hence, escaping with speed. What about you two? What are you doing?"

Manik didn't answer. Crazy human beings? Controlling the stubborn head girl's life? Questions followed and he didn't know what to derive from her words.

"Similar to yours." He heard Cabir explaining to her. "But it's one crazy human rather than two. And we outnumbered that person hence we have an advantage", said Cabir and Manik wanted to roll his eyes at him. What did he even understand about the situation? But when Nandini burst out laughing, he felt his brother was right somehow.

As they sat there in silence, Manik tried his brain to put in use. He wished he could be as easy as Cabir so that he could figure out. But the disadvantage was even if Cabir could understand, if he tried to think up on Nandini's words, it's impossible to force his baby brother to think unless he himself does so or if Manik asks him and Manik can't do that without gaining unnecessary attention from his brother. Finally, Manik concluded, Girls are crazy and this girl was crazier. He must have been silent for quite some time because his baby brother was getting restless beside him.

"Manik, are you hungry?", he asked, breaking the silence with his all-time favorite question.

"A bit", replied Manik. He didn't have his lunch properly in all the excitement of meeting his brother.

Cabir grinned at him before turning towards the girl beside him. "Nandini?"

"I am really not in the mood to eat anything but-", she replied.

"But it's difficult to find a restaurant open at this hour of the night", completed Manik. It was half-past ten and if the restaurants aren't closed already, they will be soon.

Cabir grinned. "Manik, I know the perfect place where we can get some hot tasty delicious food", he said and faced Nandini, "Nandini, are you still not in a mood? Trust me, you don't want to miss it unless you are a barbie doll who counts every calorie you eat."

"I am not one of those. Let's get going. I can't really resist a 'hot tasty delicious food'", said Nandini.

Both Cabir and Nandini hi-fied their fists so fiercely that one would think they were on their way to some war. Manik followed them reluctantly. Why can't they go home, he questioned himself. At least there would be books in his room which always gave him a familiar environment. When they reached their car, Cabir asked Nandini to follow them and she agreed before walking to hers.

Manik was about to take his seat when he noticed the spare chocolate bar in the car. He grabbed it and told Cabir to start the car. Ignoring the questioning look on his brother's face, Manik walked to Nandini and gave her the chocolate.

She raised an eyebrow. "Do you carry the whole stock with you?"

Manik shrugged. "Not the whole stock but a few. It helps me whenever I feel stressed. I thought you are too. Hence, this."

"And you came to this conclusion because?", she asked narrowing her gaze. 

God, she really hated when people even think about her behind her back, thought Manik, Abhimanyu was right. He shook his head. "You are talking too sweet. You usually go on punching people but now you are escaping two crazy beings. They must be causing you real trouble if they could turn you like this", explained Manik. He peeked at her hesitantly and when she gave him an amused look instead of getting furious, he gathered his courage. "Can I say something?"

"Yes"

"It's hardly been a month since we have known each other and I already know you are a fighter. You didn't let anyone tell you otherwise. You frighten the whole college when you are in one of your moods, including me. Who are these two even in front of all of them, right?", said Manik. He was cautious of his every word.

Nandini chuckled. "Do you even know what you are talking about?", she asked him.

"I apologize if my words had hurt you. I spoke about what I felt was right." In fact, he spoke because he felt everything wrong. He prepared himself to accept whatever she would give him in return, a scream, a punch or ignorance. All he wanted was the nerves in his brain to untangle from the mystery around her and the situation. This was the reason he preferred reading mystery novels during holidays or when he had enough time. He always struggled to keep his curiosity in check.

Nandini surprised him by giving him a small hug. He shuddered at the physical contact but she seemed too engrossed to notice his awkwardness. "Thank you. Thank you for the chocolate and the words. Shall we leave now? I am starving."

XXX

Cabir, who was watching their conversation through the mirror of his car, felt the same curiosity inside him just like his brother but the intensity in his case was much higher. Due to the distance between the two and his car, he couldn't hear the conversation but it really astonished him when Manik was talking for the most part as Nandini listened to him and this was the same girl whom his brother has confessed, he was 'scared' of just a few hours back.

The curiosity in him turned into a frown when Nandini hugged his brother. Cabir didn't want the memories of Alya to surface in his mind with that gesture of Nandini. Even though Manik didn't hug her back, he didn't either push Nandini which is the usual reaction of his brother whenever a girl tried to give him a hug.

When Manik took his seat in the car, he feigned innocence. "Bhai, are you okay? You look worried?"

"I am fine, Cabir. Let's go", was the only reply Manik gave him before leaning his head out of the window.

Cabir prided over the fact that he was the only person who could read Manik like an open book. Yet, here he was unable to decipher the mood of his brother. He was bothered now. There was something going on in his only brother's life and he didn't have any idea about it. He decided to dig the reason behind Manik's unexpected behavior.

XXX

When they reached their destination, Manik scrunched his nose looking at the muddy place. He peeked a glance at his brother and found him stretching his limbs with a huge grin on his face. It might have to do something with the aroma of food, thought Manik. "Cabir", he called him, softly, "do you really think eating here is hygienic?"

Cabir turned around to face Manik and slung an arm around his shoulder. "Bhai, no one checks the hygiene of a roadside Dhaba. Food from here goes straight to heart", he exclaimed.

Manik actually rolled his eyes. Trust his brother to change the whole science behind the digestive system. "What about Nandu?", he asked and really hoped Nandini would save him escape from this place.

"What about me?", asked Nandini, coming from behind after parking her car.

Manik almost jumped on his place. The hand on his shoulder kept him grounded as he took a deep breath. He missed the look Cabir gave him and when he opened his eyes, Cabir was grinning at Nandini.

"Manik was asking if you are comfortable eating food here", replied Cabir.

Nandini smirked. "Who can even resist a roadside Dhaba's food?"

Manik face palmed himself looking at the huge grin that took place on his brother's face. Accepting his defeat, he let his baby brother drag him inside. After giving their orders, Manik excused himself for the washroom leaving Cabir and Nandini alone. He didn't know how this tiny thoughtless act would turn his entire future.

XXX

Cabir, who was looking at an opportunity to talk to the head girl alone, beamed inside at being offered it in a silver platter. If his outer appearance contrasted completely, no one was there to notice.

He gave one glance at the direction Manik left before leaning forward on the table as he glared at the head girl. "Stop pretending to be so nice, Ms. Head girl", he said, tapping his fingers across the table to gain the attention from her.

"What?", she spluttered, confused.

"I know girls like you", he whispered, all the time looking over his shoulder to check if his brother has returned. Manik would kill him if he gets to know about this conversation. "You just try to trap cute innocent boys like my brother and take advantage of him for your selfish wishes."

Nandini stopped typing in her mobile to properly look at Cabir. "Dude, are you drunk?", she asked before shaking her head. "Listen, I am really in a pathetic mood. Stop messing with me unless you want me to distort your face."

Cabir smirked. "Truth is a hard thing to digest, Nanduuu", he said, stretching her name and clearly enjoying the irritated expression that appeared on her face.

"Stop calling me Nandu", she said, gritting her teeth. "You don't own me."

"Oh? Does my brother own you? He is allowed to call you Nandu, doesn't he?", retorted Cabir. It was rude but some part of his brain wasn't over the fact that Harshad was addressing his brother and Nandini as lovers and she didn't do anything to contradict him.

Nandini banged her fist on the table. "Are you pregnant, you double-faced idiot? Are you having your mood swings? You were acting all good in front of your brother and now this. If not for the food we ordered and if not for the fact that I am starving, you would have been in a hospital by now."

Cabir was very thankful that she was keeping her voice in check. He even understood why his brother found her scary. Getting on the head girl's bad books wouldn't be a pretty sight but he kept his stance and snorted. "Starving? Huh. You took what's mine and you are threatening me about what? To kill me?"

A look of disbelief crossed over her face. "What did I take from you? Why are you acting like an ex-girlfriend whose boyfriend dumped you for me?"

"You freaking snatched away my chocolate and especially the one that my brother bought for me."

Nandini glared at him. "You did all this stupid drama for a bar of chocolate?"

Cabir stood a bit straighter to make himself feel a bit matured than Nandini was making him look like. "This isn't a stupid drama. It's my freaking emotions."

"Really? Let's get the fight real then." She almost threw her mobile across the table and pushed the sleeves of her top up. She was intimidating as it is but when she wanted to, she takes the meaning of an angry tigress to a whole new level. "The chocolate which your brother gave me is mine. He never mentioned it as yours. He gave me as a gift. I own it now. I will cut your hands and your stupid tongue if you call it yours again."

Cabir glared at her. He was a Malhotra for god's sake. His ancestors will personally feel offended if he lets himself be scared of a girl. "I returned home after so many days. My Bhai didn't give me a chocolate, yet. The one which he had for himself, which I probably had greater chances of having for myself, you took it away from me."

"I didn't take it, okay. He came to me and gave it to me on his own free will", she argued and rubbed her hands, an evil glint appearing in her eyes. "Let me tell you something even more interesting. This is the second time he gave me chocolate. The first time he especially bought it for me. Now, burn in jealousy."

By the time she completed talking, Cabir was shooting daggers at her. Not the one to back out, she did the same.

When Manik returned to the table, he frowned at them. "What happened to you two? Why are you guys staring at each other?", he asked, bringing them out of whatever the hell they were doing.

Cabir gave an innocent smile to Manik, hoping he would believe him. His brother can detect a lie when he wants to, all thanks to his Sherlock Holmes novels. "Bhai, we are playing a game. Whoever maintains eye contact for a long time is the winner. Right, Nandu?"

Nandini gave him a forced smile before grabbing her mobile and resumed her texting.

Ignoring her, Cabir tugged at Manik's shirt sleeve. "Bhai, do you still love me as much as you used to do before?"

Manik was taken aback by the sudden question. He glanced at Nandini and she looked like she was trying not to roll her eyes. "Of course, I love you, kid. Is that even a question?"

Cabir too peeked a glance at Nandini and turned towards his brother after making sure he had her attention. "Bhai, you love me more than anyone in this whole world, right?"

Rolling her eyes in a not-so-subtle manner, she excused herself for a call.

Manik cupped his cheek with a worried frown on his forehead. "Kid, I love you more than anyone else and this would never change. You know it. Are you okay? Why these questions?"

Cabir cursed himself for worrying Manik when he only wanted to prove Nandini about his place in his brother's life. "I am fine, bhai", he said avoiding his eyes and perked up when he saw their food coming towards their table. "FOOD!", he exclaimed.

When Nandini joined their table after finishing her call, the aroma of food instantly brought a smile on her face. She saw Manik looking at the food in disdain as Cabir piled them in the three plates.

"Cabir, I am still not sure about having this food. There's lots of grease in here. The hydrocarbons won't digest easily", protested Manik, "I am not that hungry. I can pass the night, you know."

Nandini was about to argue when Cabir beat her to it. "No, Bhai", he told, putting some curry on Manik's plate, "it's butter, not the complicated hydrocarbons. Anyways, would I ever make you eat anything that might harm you? No, right? And no, I am not letting you starve too."

The sincerity in his voice must have surprised Nandini which was the complete opposite of the tone he was using while fighting with her. Of course, it's his Bhai. When he caught her gaze, Cabir winked at her, perfectly guessing her thought process. She rolled her eyes but couldn't keep the smile off her face.

Nandini looked at Manik, who was still hesitant about the food. "Manik, why don't you try first? If you are still uncomfortable about having this food, I will get you a juice or soft drink."

There was a smile on her face which reached her eyes and Cabir thought it was rare and beautiful, a contrast to her usual frown and glare. When he glanced at Manik, he felt his brother felt the same when a smile spread across his face mirroring Nandini's. As he took a morsel on her word, Cabir took his time to store every single detail about them in his brain so that he could analyze it later in the peaceful surrounding of his room. It was his brother and every small detail matters like how a hesitant smile appears on Manik's face.

"It tastes good", told Manik, looking first at Nandini and then at Cabir.

Cabir gave a smug look to Nandini as it was his idea but when he was ignored by her for the nth time that night, he sulked and concentrated on his food. He realized Nandu was as big of a foodie as he himself was. They kept on discussing food, traded stories about various tastes or fought that the other was having it more. Manik silently completed his without involving in their fight.

When it was finally time to leave, Cabir, who was fishing out the car keys from his jean pocket, glanced up on hearing his name. It was Nandini and she had a genuine smile on her face, her usual irritation on seeing him was surprisingly absent.

"Thank you, Cabir, for the race, food and the distraction. God knows, I really needed it today", she told him.

He never expected it but felt equally pleased with making someone's day a bit bearable. He bowed down dramatically, hand sweeping and tipping his invisible hat.

Nandini chuckled before looking at Manik. "Manik, by tomorrow morning, you will find me as you have known all these days instead of today's gloomy one."

An instant grin appeared on Manik's face and Cabir half-heartedly guessed it might be the light that was responsible behind the way his brother's face got brightened up suddenly. Manik didn't know how different he was behaving around Nandini but unfortunately for him, Cabir did.

Once they were inside the car, Cabir pulled out of the Dhaba and soon they were on the highway. The discomfort and uneasiness at staying in dark regarding his own brother's life was eating him away. "Manik", he called casually, "you said, you were scared of Nandini. But I haven't seen you this comfortable with a girl before."

Cabir made sure his worry didn't sound like he was judging Manik because he was only curious and it was his brother. Hence, he had every right to know about whatever is happening in his life, small or huge.

Manik sighed. "This isn't the Nandini I know, Cabir", stated Manik. "She's different." When Cabir raised an eyebrow, Manik explained. "If it were the Nandini I know, she would have punched you right away for uttering all the cheesy pick-up lines or lame jokes or the way you were flirting with her. The old Nandini can punch guys, she can shut Alya's mouth without even touching her and she is never afraid of proving her point either in front of the whole class or the principal himself."

As Manik explained all the previous encounters between him and the head girl, Cabir realized, his brother was treating Nandini as some sort of a hero from one of his fiction novels. 

What do you think about Cabir? Will he be a cupid between Manan's love or create problems because of his protectiveness nature on his brother? Or do you think he might fall in love with the head girl? :P

A/N - I might not update this book next weekend as I am half-way through a one-shot. So, this week I am trying to finish it. Hopefully, it will be completed by then. 

The chapter is nearly 3500 words. Is this pattern okay, right? If I am updating once a week and giving you long chapters? Do let me know.