Hello Fam. 

Even the craziest of souls need someone to take care of them on the days they feel down. ;) 

Happy Reading...

Nandu closed her eyes in fright seeing Manik walking towards her. He shocked everyone by wrapping his hands around her, taking her into a tight hug as if she will vanish if he loosens his grip. As much as they were angry with Nandu, they were happy that Manik didn't shout at her. They were disturbed by a call from Raman on Nandu's mobile. Manik picks up the call and puts it on speaker as Nandu was still shocked.

Call

Manik(excited): Hello papa. Kaise ho sab. Ishu maa ko boliye, I miss her.

Raman(tensed): Manik beta, there's a problem.

Manik(worried): kya hua papa. Are you guys fine?

Raman(hesitatingly): we are fine. But we met an old friend of mine who wanted his son to meet Nandu, as her prospective groom.

Manik(yelled in frustration): Yeh aap itne sade hue friends kahan se laate ho? Pehle Soha aur ab yeh Mr. Unknown. Mazak samajh rakha hai kya? Bachi hai woh abhi.

Raman(helplessly): Manik, I know. We even tried talking to him. But woh maan hi nahi raha tha. It's just a meeting. Agar Nandu ko pasand nahi aaya toh they said they will drop down the proposal.

Manik(in a declaring tone): haan phir bol dijiye ki Nandu ko pasand nahi hai.

Raman(softly): Beta ek baar milkar dekh lo. They will feel bad, bina mile reject karne se. The guy is in India. And returning back tomorrow by night. So he wants to meet her tomorrow for breakfast.

Manik(disbelievingly): Kal milna hai? Prime Minister hai kya? Koi nahi milne ja raha usse. Bol do kal tak wait mat kare. Subah ki flight pakad kar chale jaye.

Raman: Manik beta, meri baat toh suno na.

Nandu takes the mobile from Manik's hands.

Nandu(calmly): Papa, I will meet him. Aap tension mat lo. Goodnight.

Call Ends

Manik gets pissed off due to Nandu's answer and goes a little away from the group to control his anger. But Cabir couldn't control and shouted at her.

Cabir(angrily): Ho kya gaya hai Nandu tujhe subah se. Bina soche kuch bhi kar rahi hai.

Nandu(avoiding eye contact): I am tired, Cabir. Main sone ja rahi hun.

She left from there to escape from everyone. Cabir went to Manik and patted his back. They all retired to their rooms.

Manik's room

Arya(suggested): Manik, some of us can accompany her tomorrow. She won't be alone then.

Manik(frustrated): In hell, I am sending her alone.

Arya(assured): we will find out some solution. Don't worry.

Manik(staring into the distance): No Aryaman. I am not thinking about that. Actually,..

A knock on the door disturbed them. Nandu entered holding one of her teddy bears.

Nandu(hesitated): Manik, can I sleep here for today?

Manik looks at Aryaman and he nods in understanding. He leaves for Nandu's room after patting her head affectionately. After he leaves, Manik drags Nandu to the bed and makes her sit beside him.

Manik(cutely): Iss teddy ka naam kya hai

Nandu(confused): Parth Samthaan.

Manik chuckles looking at her confused face.

Manik(raising an eyebrow): Up for a game?

Nandu nods confusedly. She expected him to shout but here he was trying to cheer her up. They started playing video games. Manik lost deliberately so that Nandu could win and smile. Instead, she smiled knowing the reason behind her win.

After the game

They sat on the bed facing each other with Nandu avoiding eye contact.

Manik(softly): Nandini. What's wrong?

Nandu(fake smiled): I told you right, I am fine.

Manik(smiled): Nandini, what's wrong?

Nandu(mumbled): Really it's nothing. I was trying to be calm.

Manik(whispered): Nandini.

He took her hand in his. She tightened her hold on him.

Nandu(blabbered): I trouble you a lot right. Tum kya, I trouble everyone. Sab pareshaan hai mujhse. Cabir, Soha, Abhimanyu aur tum. Tum toh mujhe jhelte rehte ho. Mom dad bhi kitna suffer karte hai because of me.

Manik(amused): Are you on your periods?

Nandu(puzzled): huh?

Manik(hitting her head lightly): Pagal, itne sab kuch us dimag mein ghusa kaise?

Nandu(muttered): Pata nahi. I felt so I am trying to be a decent girl.

Manik(smiled): Ok. It's so good to know that you are thinking like this. But yeh bata, are you enjoying playing this 'decent girl' role?

Nandu(frustrated): I am feeling bored. I feel this is not me. But I will try..

Manik(gently cupping her cheek): exactly. Nandu, you don't need to change. This is not you. You don't need to pretend someone else. We love you for who you are. Aaj tak tujhe kisi ne bola hai to change yourself? Nahi na. Haan kabhi kabhi thoda out of control ho jati hai but we feel blessed to have you in our lives.

Nandu(yelled): Manikkk.

Manik chuckles.

Nandu(puzzled): Waise Manik, why didn't you shout when Cabir and Abhi were shouting at me? Tu bhi toh worried tha na subah se. Weren't you angry with me?

Manik(bewildered): Why would I be angry with you? Nandu, they shouted at you because they thought you were just acting to be serious when they were worried about you.

Nandu(confused): Kyun tu aise nahi soch raha tha kya?

Manik(chuckles): Woh tera line kya tha? (mimicking her) "I was just checking silent hona kaise hota hai." Do you really think main ye stupid line believe karunga? (sighing heavily) Nandu yaar, I don't know how but mujhe pata chal jata hai. When you are actually serious and when you are having fun. Fortunately, till now, you are like an open book for me.

Nandu(sighed): Tere bina kya hota mera?

Manik(teased): Kuch nahi. Bas thoda sudhar jaati ab tak.

He earned a punch from her. She hugged him with all her force making him fall on the bed along with her. They stayed like that for few minutes before Manik broke the silence.

Manik: tujhe sona hai ya apne is soft toy se khelna hai?

Nandu(glared): This is not a soft toy. He is my Parth Samthaan.

Manik chuckled but abruptly sat straight remembering something.

Manik(frowned): Nandu, uss Mr. Unknown ka kya?

Nandu(casually): Kaun? Shaadi dot com wala? Tension mat le. Use reject hi toh karna hai. Milkar kar lenge. Papa bhi khush ho jayenge.

Manik: But.

Nandu(smirked): Relax. Main tere bina nahi ja rahi us se milne. I actually have a plan.

Manik(excited): Arey waah. Itne jaldi? I am up for this. Plan se yaad aaya. Us Maggi ka murder karne mein tune sachi kuch nahi kiya?

Nandu(innocently): Nahi Manik, I promise. Woh log kuch kuch kar rahe the. Mujhe gadbad lag raha tha toh main Navya ke paas chali gayi. Aur waise bhi, how can I even think of murdering my favorite Maggi.

Manik(trying to be serious): True. You cannot even think of doing it.

They both burst out laughing and went to sleep.

Next day

Everyone woke up early except Soha and Harshad and were waiting for Manik and Nandu to get ready. As they saw them descending from stairs, Cabir went towards them with a frown on his face.

Cabir(sternly): Manik, we have decided. Nandu isn't going anywhere. Hum koi bahana bana lenge. Uncle ko call karke bolo, she has a fever.

Nandu(coolly): hum kyun jhoot bole? In Fact, mere saath tum sab bhi aa rahe ho. I will allot you some work. Ache se karna. (smirking) Cabir especially you? Agar koi galti hui waha I will make him believe that you are gay, aur tumhari shadi uske saath fix karwa dungi.

Cabir(wiping off his fake tears): Meri Nandu wapas aa gayi.

He went and hugged her which later turned into a group hug.

Cabir(wickedly): Chal Nandu, band bajate hai uski. Agli baar se shadi ke naam se hi bhag jayega.

He wrapped his hand around her shoulder and they both went to the car excitedly while others followed them. 

Excited to meet Nandu's prospective Groom? :P