Hello Fam :)

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Thank you. :)

Happy Reading...

Warning: Dhamaka ho raha hai idhar. :P

It was a quiet dinner at the Malhotra Mansion and Cabir was itching to talk. He always had difficulty in following the rules but this one, no talking while eating food was getting on his nerves. Between Manik and Nyonika, it's not like even if he disobeyed them, anyone would talk to him. But that's okay. He could hold a conversation for hours single-handedly. Another talent of his that the world is jealous of. Taking matters into his hands, Cabir was about to open his mouth when Nyonika cleared her throat.

"Both of you, come to my room after dinner. Excuse me", she told them and left for her room.

Cabir shot daggers at her retreating back. If there was a list of people who regularly punctured his ego, his own mother would top the list.

"Baby bro, stop doing that and finish your dinner", interrupted Manik.

Cabir lightly banged his fork on the table. "Don't you realize, she is bossing over us", he argued.

"No", told Manik.

Of course, his brother would never find a fault in anything that their precious mother does. Manik might have realized him becoming the next target of Cabir's mighty daggers because he rolled his eyes.

"Kid, what do you love the most? Food or anger?", asked Manik.

"Of course, food", he answered in a heartbeat.

Manik grinned. "Then concentrate on getting energy into your system, kid."

Cabir glared at his twin for five seconds straight before concentrating on food. If he had to survive a meeting with his mother, he has to have energy in his system.

XXX

Nyonika's bed was scattered with various clothes and papers as she packed her bags when the two Malhotra kids went to her room. Manik, on instinct, went to help her only to be stopped by his mother. "Manik, it's okay. Give me a few minutes. I will clear this and get back to you", she told.

"Let me help you, please", said Manik and smiled so sweetly that it made Cabir both protect him and bang his head on some hard surface.

When would his brother stop helping people unnecessarily without expecting anything in return? He rolled his eyes and fought a smile because Manik's was infectious that even Nyonika Malhotra had to smile. As the two started clearing the room, for what appeared to be another trip of Nyonika's, Cabir smirked and watched them.

His ability to mess up his room was genetic, coming directly from the tough and the queen of the business world, Nyonika Malhotra, herself. He wanted to confess it out loud and wondered about the consequences of leaking a picture of this room to some of the news channels. He halted his thought process when he realized that would be no less than signing up a death contract for himself and went back to simple smirking after taking a comfortable seat for himself on the couch.

Manik was shooting daggers at him, maybe asking him to help or because he knew what Cabir was thinking or both because come on, who else would know the internal workings of his brain if not for his over-analytical twin.

"I am going to a meeting for a week. I want you two to keep out of trouble", she told, looking directly at Cabir.

Cabir looked at his watch. It was too early in a conversation to pick up a fight right now.

When Cabir didn't speak anything, Nyonika turned to the elder twin. "Manik, you can be called to the office if they need any signature or if there's an emergency."

"Yes, mom", replied Manik.

Manik started taking care of the office in emergencies when Nyonika wasn't available. Cabir wondered how Manik would handle the entire Malhotra Industries one day. His interests aligned in an entirely different field, the main reason for the feud with his mother, according to him. He couldn't help his Manik even if he wanted to. He hardly understood a thing in business.

"Contact the manager if you need anything. Shall I increase the security around the house?", asked Nyonika.

"No, mom. It's fine."

"If someone is coming against your will, either talk to the security chief or tell me. I will talk to them."

"Yes, mom. Sure."

Unable to restrain himself anymore, Cabir rolled his eyes. "Is this stupid meeting done?", he interrupted them.

"What?", asked his mother.

"Do you think Manik is one of your employees at the office? You have been barking instructions at him since the time we entered the room", he asked, ignoring the way Manik's eyes widened and then narrowed at him in a warning.

"Cabir, stay in your limits while I am not here to clear up if you mess anything", warned Nyonika.

He chuckled. There it goes. "Let me tell you one thing. In case you have forgotten, I am your son and not one of your employees who would puppet every instruction of yours. Surprised, right?"

"I don't care what you do with your life, Cabir. You have never listened to anything I have said before and I stopped expecting from you. Now, things are different. Manik is living here. Your one bad decision might put both of you in trouble and I wouldn't tolerate if anything happens to him because of your stupidity."

"Manik. Manik. Manik. Isn't everything about Manik for you?", he asked, sarcastically. Cabir really wanted to know if his mother really loved Manik or if she just wanted the heir of Malhotra Industries to be in her control. He snorted. "You think you love Manik but do you even realize that you are killing your own son with your so-called love?" He could see Nyonika gritting her teeth and the clenching and unclenching of her fists didn't escape his vision but, at the moment, he could care less. "Manik is my brother and I won't even let you ruin his life."

Nyonika crossed her arms. "Manik is my son. Why would I ruin his life?"

"Aren't you already? Do you realize, you can't hold his hand forever or make him walk throughout his life? Why don't you let him look at the world or understand the people here? Mom, let him breathe. You are suffocating him."

The words shocked Cabir as much as it did to Nyonika. Both of them stared at each other unable to react. Cabir's eyes widened when he realized neither the words were his nor did he plan to cross his line with his mother. Ever. Of course, they had disagreements and he was convinced she hated him with all her heart but apart from being his mother, she was the Nyonika Malhotra. A person who could make or break the lives of people with a single phone call. Who was he in front of her?

"Get out", said Nyonika.

And for the first time since he was a teenager, he obliged his mother's order without a protest with whatever self-preservation he was left within his body. He walked out of the room and distinctly heard Nyonika asking Manik to leave her alone when his brother 'apologized' on Cabir's behalf. He forgot about Manik's presence in the room. He mentally kicked himself and hurried to his room. Grabbing his car keys and the camera, he left the mansion to avoid everyone including his brother. Especially his brother. Cabir knew he had disappointed Manik, might have even scared him with the arguments but before handling him, he needs to clear his head.

He drove for an hour. Cabir knew all the forests around the city, thanks to his passion. Apart from wildlife photography, he was interested in Astrophotography. He filled the hollow in his heart and the absence of light in his life with the stars in the night sky. The precious jewels shone irrespective of any discrimination and no picture would come close to the beauty of a picture full of stars. When one of his friends from the camp introduced them to stars, Cabir started seeing them in a different light and learned the techniques to capture this treasure to keep with him forever. It distracted him too.

Suddenly, he burst out laughing at everything he said to his mother. Nandini. The girl was more dangerous than he had initially thought. Her words had struck a nerve inside his head and once Cabir understood the validity of her argument, it refused to leave his head. How can a girl, who just met his brother, understand his complete life without even trying? It's not like Manik to publicize his life in front of others. She must have picked up the hints and assembled the puzzle, guessing the missing pieces. What scared Cabir was it was unintentional. She didn't have a hidden motive or feelings for Manik. He wondered about her relationship with her parents because where else would she had her first-hand experience from?

Not for the first time did Cabir question himself, behind her mask of indifference, if this girl was more similar to his Manik than she lets on people.

He looked at the time and realized it was almost two hours since he left the house. Everyone must have gone to sleep, making it easy for him to sneak inside his room.

XXX

Unfortunately, when Cabir went to his room, Nyonika was going through his album, his work. He stopped himself from letting out a groan. There had already been enough drama for the day and it was close to midnight. He could use some sleep. "Mom?", he called, quietly.

Nyonika turned around and stood up from her place. "Cabir, we need to talk", she told.

"Mom, please. I am tired. I can't have another round of arguments with you."

"At least, listen to what I have to say", she told, exasperated and sat down on his bed.

Cabir noticed her hunched shoulders and the frowns on her head which in turn made him frown. She was tapping her foot, her elbows resting upon her knees. He didn't know if his mother was tense or nervous or just tired, but he knew perfectly well that in his entire existence, he had never seen this look on her. He gave her some time to get back to normal because, for him, Nyonika Malhotra has always been confident and held her head high.

It struck him like lightning when he realized he doesn't know how to handle any situation if something happens to his mother. She has never shown her vulnerable side to anyone, including her kids and he took her for granted. How did she even handle the whole of Malhotra Industries, all alone after her husband's death? Cabir tried his hardest to diminish the respect that was escalating in his heart for Nyonika Malhotra because it was not Nyonika Malhotra who had failed him or Manik but their mother Nyonika. His thoughts came to a halt when she cleared her throat.

"Cabir, I am sorry", she confessed, surprising him. She chuckled and it was hollow. "You were right. I am not letting Manik breathe. In my eagerness to protect him, I have always overlooked that I am hindering his growth."

Cabir never thought he would listen to Nyonika Malhotra apologize to anyone, least to him. He didn't understand how she could apologize to someone with pride, staring directly into their eyes. Maybe, this was what they called as accepting one's mistakes. He didn't like the defeated look on his mother or the weakness in her voice. Just like that, he felt like drowning in an ice pond after his body was set on fire. One sorry and he wanted to forget everything and run to her like he did years back when he was a kid.

Without overthinking much, he followed his heart and kneeled in front of her, leaving his mother the choice to take the last step. "Mom, I am sorry. I don't know how those words came out of my mouth. I didn't..."

His voice wavered when Nyonika cupped his cheek. "Glad it came. Manik. He can't stand for himself. It should have been him to oppose or question me but he has always accepted every decision of mine blindly. It's not healthy and I accept that it's my fault." She pulled him by his shoulders and made him sit beside her. "Will you help me in grooming him as the Malhotra that he is?"

"Me?"

"Manik is innocent for the world and more vulnerable for people to take advantage of him. Do you think I trust anyone else with his safety?"

Cabir bit his lip. "But you said you don't trust my decisions", he questioned.

Nyonika rolled her eyes and smiled sweetly at him. It was his experience that told him, she was being anything but sweet. "Cabir, you wanted to go on a trek when you were 11 to the Himalayas after reading about the first man to climb the mountain. You got yourself lost when you were 12 in the conference room when I left you there for half an hour."

"The office was too big and I didn't know there was a second door." He dodged the first statement. He didn't know why he did that.

"Right. What about the time when you were 13 and called the zoo to order lions. And what did you tell them? That you want to harvest your own national park", asked his mother. "People usually harvest crops and vegetables, not national parks with wild animals."

Cabir protested. "That was my ambition since childhood."

Nyonika raised her eyebrows. "You packed your bags and came to the office, let me remind you interrupted me during a very important meeting, to say goodbye to me because you were going on a trip to space and might not come back alive. I want to highlight the point that you were just 14 and people don't talk about life and death at that age."

"I got distracted by Rakesh Sharma. You even scolded me in front of the whole office and grounded me for the rest of the academic year."

"I am sorry for that too. I should have grounded you for the rest of your life. At least that would save me from all the complaints I got during the rest of your school years", she informed. "On top of everything, you manipulated your brother to convince me about sending you to jump around with all the wildlife of Africa."

"I wasn't jumping around. It was my internship", he argued.

"And you were 18. I agree you were always passionate about this but I didn't want to send my son on a suicide mission. Hence, Cabir Malhotra, excuse me for not trusting you to make sensible decisions on your own. You are crazy."

Cabir gaped at her, his mouth wide open. He pulled his album in his lap. "I am not crazy. Look at my work."

In a very unexpected move, Nyonika Malhotra ruffled his hair, halting him from flipping the album open. "I was going through them while waiting for you. I am proud of you but don't tell me you went searching for animals at this time?", she asked.

He rubbed the back of his neck and fought the blush on his face. "I am interested in Astrophotography too. One of my friends taught me."

"Where are those?"

Cabir wanted to pinch himself. His mom was excited? "I haven't printed them yet."

Nyonika nodded. "Show me when they are done."

He could only grin at her.

She sighed. "Cabir, I know you mess up things but I am confident you could worm your way out of trouble. Manik can't. Hence, I am always worried about him. That doesn't mean, I don't love you. I am sorry for letting the misunderstandings grow between us instead of clearing them." She squeezed his hand. "You two are the only people left in this world whom I could call as mine and I love you equally. I just haven't made a very good job of showing it. I am sorry for that."

Cabir gathered his courage to rest his head on her shoulders. "Stop saying sorry, mom. You are a perfectionist. It doesn't suit you", he objected.

Nyonika laughed out loud and Cabir sighed in relief when she started running her fingers through his hair. Even if everything was going well, she still was the scariest businesswoman. "No one is perfect, Cabir. I make mistakes too and this whole incident is just the biggest proof of it. It just makes me human."

Is that how she became successful?, he thought. He lifted his head to look at her. "So, you will accept me even when I make a lot of mistakes. You also said you don't care about me."

"Cabir, I was trying to discipline you. I wouldn't shower praises and love upon you when doing that", she told.

"I am not a kid, mom", he said, offended at being treated like a kid.

"That doesn't stop you from being a brat", she teased. Did Nyonika Malhotra really tease him? "You are my son. There never was a question of acceptance, Cabir. As your mom, I would always correct you whenever you take decisions hazardous to your life. It's my instinct to protect you till my last breath. Yeah, you are entering your adulthood, so I can let you handle your life on your terms but there will always be disclaimers and conditions", explained his mother.

Cabir grinned. "I can work with that."

"So, can I go for the meeting now?", she asked.

He raised his thumb. "Of course and don't worry about your son. I will keep him safe."

Nyonika rolled her eyes. "Keep both of my sons safe."

"I will miss you, mom", he told and cringed. He never thought he would turn into a sap but he got his mom back after years. It could pass and it's not like they had some audience.

Nyonika, who apparently knew her son well, chuckled, wished him goodnight and kissed the top of his head as the emotions threatened to burst out of his body.

He jumped on his bed for a while and when that didn't help, he changed into his pajamas and sneaked into Manik's room. Manik was sleeping, curled up on himself. He had tear stains on his face and Cabir's heart clenched looking at his precious brother. Manik was always afraid of arguments. Now that things are stable between his mother and Cabir, he promised himself not to hurt Manik in any way possible.

He shook his head and snuggled beside Manik, careful enough not to wake him up but the light sleeper that he was, he stirred and wrapped an arm around Cabir.

"Bhai, I am sorry", told Cabir.

"Baby, it's fine. Go to sleep. It's already too late", whispered Manik.

The last thing he remembered was the comfort that surrounded him when Manik stroked his hair. He got his family back. 

Finally, Nyonika's feelings are revealed. Do you think she is manipulating again?

I haven't dragged this issue to the last because the story isn't about Nyonika and her sons. It's about Nandini and Manik and Cabir too.

More revealtions in the next chapter and Nandini might restrain herself from punching someone. No promises there. :P

Any doubts on Nyonika's character? Or on the overall chapter?