Cabir jerked away from sleep, screaming as someone splashed cold water on him. Nandini stood over him with a glare, ready to strangle him as he screeched, "Kya hain?"

(What?)

"Tum Manik ko kya sikha rahe ho. You bitch!" Nandini countered back, making Cabir's eyes widen as she removed her slipper. He immediately threw away the blanket and stood on the bed dodging her flying chappal which passed over his shoulder. He held the pillow over his to protect himself as she removed another slipper, ready to throw it over his face while he asked, "Maine kya sikhaya hain?!"

(*What are you teaching Manik? You bitch! **What did I teach him?)

"Tumne usse kya nahi sikhaya. Mera bechara masoom bacha," Nandini said, ready to cry as Cabir tarnished his innocence. Cabir frowned in confusion before he suddenly started laughing as he remembered while teasing, "Oh. To isme roh kya rahe hain, Bhabhi Ji. Woh keh raha tha ki aap udaas rehti hain. Toh ek dost ke naate mujhe usse sahi rah par leke aana tha," Cabir controlled his laughter as he continued, "Ki apni mommy ko khush kaise karna hai."

(*What you haven't taught? My innocent baby. **Oh. But, why are crying, sister in law. He was telling me how sad you are these days. So, being a good friend, I had to take him to the right path. **About how to keep your mommy happy.)

"Cabir!" Nandini screamed, embarrassed and irritated, as she threw the chappal, making him wince as it hit his head. He rubbed it while grinning, as she warned him to stay away from Manik, walking out of the room while he loudly sang, "Suhagraat hain. Ghoongat utha raha hu main..."

He laughed loudly as she shut the door behind herself, the loud bang echoing in the room. Calming down, he walked to the bathroom to get ready for another day of advice and suggestions for his innocent friend.

•••••

"Dadi, Manik ka breakfast prepare kar diya tha. Woh abhi soh raha hain toh fridge main rakh rahi hu. Usse heat karke dedena aur aadhe ghante baad ek red colour ki packing main medicine hain woh deni hai," Nandini instructed the old women as she picked her handbag from the sofa, ready in a blue churidar, to leave for her job.

(*Grandma, I have prepared breakfast for Manik. He is sleeping right now so I have stored it in the fridge. Heat it before serving him and half an hour later, please give him the medicine. It is in a red colored packing.)

"Nandini beta, main sambhal lungi usse. Cabir bhi hai ab toh. Tu fikr mat kar. Agar koi madat chahiye hogi toh hum call kardenge," the old woman said, trying to relieve Nandini, who was worried that Manik would cry if he didn't see her first thing in the morning and for the rest of the afternoon.

(*Nandini, I will take care of him. Even Cabir is here now. Don't worry. If we will have any difficulty, we'll give you a call.)

"Jee. Jab woh uthe toh mujhe call kar lena zyada tang kiya toh. Main uss se baat kar lungi," Nandini said, making the grandmother nod before she ushered her out of the front door since she was getting late. Nandini cursed as she remembered that the lift of apartment was not working and hurriedly walked to the stairs.

(Okay. When he wakes up and if he troubles, give me a call.)

While she was rushing down, she dropped her phone, making a mutter, "Shit," under her breath as she crouched down to pick it up. Not looking up the damage, she moved down and hailed an auto, forgetting about the phone in her hurry.

•••••

Manik walked out of the room like a lost child as he looked around for Nandini. Walking to the kitchen and founding it empty, he couldn't control the fear that gripped him due to the anxiety of losing her. His heart beat raced and he looked around while shouting, "Nanni Mumma! Nanni Mumma!"

Hearing his shouts, his grandmother rushed out of her own room and called him out. He looked at her and innocently enquired, "Dadi. Nanni Mumma?"

"Woh beta school gayi hai. Unki aaj se job hai na. Doh baje tak vaapis aa jayengi," the old woman answered, leading him to the living room and making him sit down on the couch.

(She has gone to school. She had her job from today onwards. She will come back by 2.)

"Aap jhuth toh ni bol re na?" Manik asked, making her shake her head in denial. Manik stayed mum for a moment, his mind running around and thinking about how she will be around many children in school. A new fear gripped him and before his grandmother could comprehend, he started crying, "Mumma!"

(You're not lying, right?)

"Beta. Rote nahi hai. Aajayengi na woh thodi der mai," When he continued crying, she called out to Cabir who was busy listening to music in his room. Sighing, he walked out, rolling his eyes at the cry baby and hit the top of his head as he mocked Manik, "Kyu roh raha hai."

(Manik, don't cry. She will come back in some time. **Why are you crying?)

When his cries turned louder, dadi scolded Cabir for troubling him and ordered him to call Nandini. Cabir shook his head while dialling her number, muttering, "Mumma ka chamche."

Manik stared at Cabir expectedly as he called Nandini but he frowned when he was unable to make the call, her phone coming to be switched off. Declining the call, he informed Dadi, "Phone switched off hai."

Manik's bottom lip wobbled, ready to cry as he raised an accusatory finger towards Cabir and said, "Yeh jaan bujh kar ye sab kar raha hai! Ye meko rulana chahta hai."

(He is doing this intentionally. He wants to make me cry.)

"Oye! Main kyu karunga essa?" Cabir asked, gaping as even Dadi looked at him with a questioning look.

(Haw, why will I do that?)

"Isine Nanni Mumma ko gussa dilaya hai. Isne meko gaaliya sikhai aur isne meko ye bhi kaha ki mai Nanni Mumma saath suha–" Cabir palmed his mouth at the end, making Manik mumble incoherently behind his hand while Cabir said to Dadi, "Aap jaiye Dadi. Main isko sambhal lunga."

(He got Nanni Mumma angry. He taught me curses and he told me to celebrate wed– **Grandma, you should go. I'll take care of him.)

Dadi nodded, though unsure, and ordered both of them to have breakfast before leaving for her room since she was having joint pain. As soon as the old woman was out of sight, Cabir hit the back of Manik's head, making him glare at him in anger.

"Saale saari family planning bata dega kya unhe," Cabir asked, shaking his head. Manik frowned, not understanding and asked, "Family planning?"

(Will you tell her the entire family planning?)

Shaking his head, Cabir waved his hand off, telling him to let it go. He dialled Nandini's number again, only to get the same response. He expected Manik to cry but was surprised when he silently sat down, lost in his thoughts. Despite the worry for his friend, Cabir walked to the kitchen, heating the breakfast and carrying it out in the living room. He served it to Manik, who had it without any word, even though Cabir tried to tease him occasionally.

When both of them had their breakfast and he was collecting the used utensils, he frowned as someone called from an unknown number. Picking it up, he sighed in relief as Nandini's voice rang in his ears, "Hello, Cabir."

"Haan," Cabir answered.

"Woh na actually mera phone gir gaya tha aaj subah aur khrab ho gaya tha. Toh switch off hai. Maine abhi notice kiya tha. Manik uth gaya? Usne breakfast kiya? Aur woh tang toh nahi kar raha?" Nandini bombarded Cabir with questions without taking a single breath in worry.

(Actually, I broke my phone in the morning and it had been switched off since then. I just noticed it. Has Manik woken up? Did he had his breakfast? And he is not troubling anyone, right?"

"Haan woh abhi thodi der pehle utha tha. Breakfast kar liya. Aur tang toh nahi kar raha lekin ek baar baat kar lo usse," Cabir said, holding out the phone for Manik. Manik glared at the phone, refusing to hold it, angry at Nandini for the first time. Cabir raised his eyebrows in amusement, putting the call on speaker as Nandini called out Manik's name.

(Yeah, he just woke up. He had his breakfast. He isn't troubling anyone but still talk to him once.)

"Manik," Nandini said but instead of responding, Manik got up, walking to his room.

"Aapka baby aap se gussa hai. Aake mana lena," Cabir informed her before teasing as he asked, "Kuch suggestions du?" Nandini groaned his name in frustration but ignoring it, he said, "Haan haan room toh decorate kar hi raha hu. Ek doh link send kardunga to make it memorable."

(Your baby is angry with you. Coddle him after coming back. **Yeah yeah I'm decorating the room. Will send you a link or two to make it memorable.)

Nandini was still threatening him with his life when he declined the call, laughing loudly.

Hi! Hope you're well and enjoyed the chapter. Please do vote and comment.