It was the beginning of winter in San Jose. The atmosphere was gradually getting cold. The fields were more greener and fresh.

Early in the morning at fifteen past five, Manik was sipping his strong tea standing near the railing of the patio.

Leaning on the rails with his bare chest showcasing his torso to the world, he was zoned out to the ironically bitter atmosphere in his own house.

He was reminiscing the good old times.

It has been two years since that brutal day in Britain.

It was nothing same anymore. Neither him , nor his family and nor Nandini.

Harshad and Abhimanyu were still reluctant towards Manik. They didn't want him anywhere near Nandini. But Manik was sure that now he was never going to go away from her. He wanted to bring Nandini with him to San Jose for which he literally begged them.

At last they came to a conclusion that Neyonika would move with Manik and thats how they would let Nandini be in that House. Harshad too moved to San Jose on context of observing Nandini.And about Neyonika, she let aside her discomfort for time being and was back to her warm behavior with Manik. But still she didn't forgot the bitterness of his only son towards her favorite child and would at times give him the taste of his own deeds.

Cabir had now dissolved the wall of awkwardness with Fab5 . He was back to his jolly self. He was trying his best to bring them all together on a happy track. He was now married to Navya.

Manik gulped the last drop of tea and turned around , standing with the support of rail near his lower back and peeped inside the room.

There laying on the bed sleeping soundly was a petite girl wearing a light pink full sleeved night wear. Her long hairs were settled on her right side with few of them falling on her left cheek.

Manik walked inside and sat next to her on the bed. He lightly brushed his lips on the corner of her forehead leaving behind his wetness.

Wake up HoneyBrunch !

He wishpered to her. The girl breathed deeply and turned to the other side facing away from him. Manik again bend lower and tucked her hair behind her ears pecking behind her ear.

Its time for breakfast. Aren't you hungry?

She ignored him conveniently.

At last Manik slide his arm under her supporting her lower back and made her sit straight. She at once grabbed manik's neck such that her head was supposed by his shoulder and manik hugged her back untangling her long hairs.

Don't be a lazy girl! Everyone will be waiting for you. Let's go , chalo get up.

He stood up and made her stand too.

Do you want to brush your teeth first?

The girl nodded her head in a no.

That's fine.

Manik said. He moved forward and hold her hand.

They walked down the stairs together not before confirming whether she had her slippers on.

On the breakfast table, there laid a rail of dishes- croissants, sandwiches,aloo paratha,mousses, eggs, fruits, pancakes , waffles,hash browns, donuts, avacados, grilled tomato, greek yogurt and beverages.

Everyone were settled on the table and indulged in some talkings.

The boys were discussing some sports where Cabir and Abhimanyu were almost on an argument whereas the girls were on an instruction spree for Shraddha.

Well over this years, Shraddha and Harshad were together and Shraddha is expecting.

It looked like a big happy family. Harshad , Abhimanyu and Shraddha were all good with Fab5. However the two protective brothers were still rough towards Manik sometimes. Harshad held some grudges towards Alya even today. He simply cannot ignore the fact that she intentionally ignored her real brother against the members of Fab5. He still admits having only one sister and she's Nandini.

And here we are.

Manik announced when they reached the table. Everyone looked at the voice and smiled seeing the loving couple. Manik pulled a chair and made the girl sit comfortably and he himself sat next to her.

Bhai mujhe toh laga tu hum sab ko bhukha rakhega aur meri Nonna ko bhi bhukha rakhega.

Harshad said out funnily.

Tumhari pyaari behen so rahi thi agar itni hi jaldi thi tumhe toh upar aakar meri thodi madaat kar leta. Aur ros ese mere ghar par kyu pade rehte ho ? Tumhari girlfriend ne tumhe apne hi ghar se nikaldiya kya?

Manik mocked at him.

Harshad kept mumb knowing that it was his fault pointing at a wrong thing. Manik could actually bring food from half way across the world to feed his girl.

And that was the new name given to Manik's girl Nandini ~ Nonna !

Manik looked over the table for the variety of food and on realising the missing thing, he himself stood up and walked into the kitchen to grab it.

He walked back with a bowl in his hand which he placed in front of Nandini.

It contained the HoneyCrunch cereals . He poured some milk into it and mixed it well enough to make the flakes semi solid.

He turned towards Nandini and fed her a spoon of it. He then took a piece of hash brown and fed himself.

After completely feeding her the cereals he handed her a bowl of blueberries ,strawberries along with kiwi and made sure she had them.

Toh aaj Sunday ka kya plan hai ?

Alya asked after wiping off her mouth.

We could go to the bowling in the afternoon followed by dinner at some chilling place.

She suggested her plans.

Everyone were okay with it.

Do you want to go ?

Manik bend towards Nandini and wishpered in her ear.

Nandini thought for a while and nodded in negative looking here and there.

For the dinner?

Manik asked.

Nandini answered by nodding in positive.

Meanwhile the gang were busy planning their day.

Excuse Me ! Me and sugarplum will directly join for the dinner.

Manik announced.

Arre aao na , it will be fun.

Shraddha encouraged him. But Manik simply indicated Nandini through his eyes which was only noticed by Shraddha and she understood his message.

Actually, that would work too. I'll message you the dinner place and we will directly meet there.

Shraddha said.

Everyone agreed and moved to get dressed for the day.

Manik too got up and helped Nandini to move towards the room.

They had two shower cabinets in the large bathroom and they were located in the two corners so it made them translucent.

Nandini moved to brush her teeth first and then to the shower. Meanwhile, Manik moved towards their combined walk-in closet and chose a loose long sleeved grey tee with black pants for her and a navy tee with beige shorts for himself.

He hanged her clothes near her shower cabinet and moved to get shower.

He moved out getting dressed and saw Nandini on the sit in front of the dressing room.

Manik walked upto her and stood behind her. He took the hair brush and brushed her hairs making sure that she doesn't have any pain.

Do you want me to leave it open?

He asked her to which she nodded negatively.

Should I loosely braid it?

She looked at him through mirror and he understood her approval.

He loosely braid her hair and tied it with a hair tie. He had literally adjusted himself upto her expectations. Everytime he tied her hair he could hear himself speaking that he liked her hair open. But now things were at that circumstances where her comfortness came above his preferences.

He applied Japanese Wood Lotion on her hands, face and bend down to apply it to her feets. He made her wear the rose gold chain which was gifted by him. She never stepped out of the room without it.

At last he stood in front of her and after getting satisfied with her attire and care he kissed her forehead, almost palming her entire face.

What do you want to do?

Nandini without giving any reply turned towards the bed and slipped into the duvet sitting with the support of the headboard .

Manik moved towards his side of bed and sat next to her.

Lets watch some Pretty Little Liars on Netflix.

Manik said turning on the television.

Nandini simply laid her head on his shoulders and grasped his bicep with both hands.

Both of them watched few episodes and later Manik got their lunch in the bed. He fed her , made her sleep and then after having his lunch he joined her.

I N F Y S T A R