I Need You To Be There... For a little more than Always!!

Epilogue Part 3:

Manik parked his car in front of the Malhotra Mansion as he reached back home after a long day at work. He entered to find the house unusually silent. Concern filled onto as he looked all around and called out,

Manik: Nandini..... Nandini!!!

Nandini: In the kitchen Manik...
Came on her voice from inside making him relax as he flung his bag onto the chair and moved towards her. He reached the kitchen only to stop at the door itself and widen his eyes at the view in front of him.

The entire kitchen counter was messed up. Fries, chips, biscuits, cookies spread all over, while Nandini stood there with both her hands on her hips as she glared at the culprits in front of her.

Nandini: How many times do I hv to repeat the same thing to u both?
She asked the culprits standing in front of her.

Nandini: Answer me! 15 mins I m upstairs and this is what u two do.... Who did this?

"Mom bhai wasn't sharing the cookies with me!"
Came a tiny petite scared voice as an answer when the other one immediately interrupted,

"But Mom she already ate hers in the morning!"

Nandini: Shut up both of u! No cookies for the next two weeks for u both. Now I want u cleaned up and on the bed within 10 minutes.

Both the kids turned around immediately at her words, almost ready to run up to their rooms when their eyes fell on Manik.

"Dad!" the little girl chipped at his sight, with a broad smile on her face.

Nandini: Ahaana...  I said on the bed in 10!

Her smile immediately flattened as the two kids rushed back to their room.

Nandini looked all around the mess shaking her head when she felt manik's arm wrap around her shoulder.

Manik: I get that u had an eventful evening!

Rolling her eyes at his words she hit his chest as the two of them chuckled at the situation.
Nandini: We hv seriously given birth to Monsters.... Both of them are totally like u!

Manik: Are u seriously accusing me of being messy Mrs. Malhotra?

Nandini: Yes I m... Now u go and freshen up, I'll sort out this mess by then.
Nandini said pushing him away as she turned towards the counter again.

Manik was about to move up towards their room when nandini held his hand stopping him. He turned back to face her to find her smiling as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

A smile crept onto Manik's face as well, when he asked,
Manik: And this was for?

Nandini: I don't know.... Maybe for whatever reason u r so stressed and tired! At least it got a real smile to ur face, I m sure ur monsters will do the rest of the job of cheering u up!

Manik: How do u always manage to know the exact things which I try to hide?

Nandini: Come on manik give me some credit.... I m living with The Manik Malhotra for so many years now, and still I m standing here, it automatically makes me the best. 
Nandini said smirking at him as she pushed him out of the kitchen.

15 minutes later, she walked upstairs towards the laughter which could be heard from the room next to hers.

She entered the room to find the father daughter duo tickling her baby boy with no mercy.

"Mom help!" called out the 10 year old boy as he noticed his mother standing at the door.

Nandini: Aye... Why are u teaming up against my baby!

"Moommmmm... I m not a baby!" The kid whined this time getting himself free from his sister.

Nandini chuckled at him as she sat on the bed with him.
"Ahaana is a baby... She is just 7 years old. I m a big boy now!"

Nandini: Ohk I agree u r a big boy, But vivaan will always be a baby for me na.. My cute little baby!
Nandini said as she wrapped her arms around him placing a long kiss on his cheek.

Vivaan: Mommm... Leave me!

The little boy wiped off his cheeks from her slight lipstick imprint while Manik chuckled.

Ahaana: Yes my bhai is very big, he scared off a boy in my class today. I was so happy!
Ahaana supported her brother, which actually happened quite rarely but something else took Manik and Nandini's attention.

Manik, Nandini: Scared off???

Nandini: Vivaan.... Why did u do that!

Vivaan: He always snatches Ahaana's pencil in class and she cries... So I just told him not to do that!
Vivaan said looking away, which made Nandini narrow her eyes at him.

Nandini: Just told him not to?? Or something else also!

The little boy stuck his touch between his teeth at being caught while his sister laughed at his lie. Nandini opened up her mouth to scold him until Manik beat her to that as he patted his son's back.

Manik: Very good... Always take care of Ahaana ohk! And if something happens next time na, tell me then dad will handle it his way.

Nandini: Manik.....

Manik: What!!! No one messes with my princess okay... Right champ?
Manik said smiling at his kids as vivaan nodded at him.

Nandini: Ok now enough of chit chat... Time to sleep! Come on vivaan, get onto ur bed.
The boy immediately followed her words as he jumped onto the bed next to Ahaana's and Nandini sat next to him. Being a typical mumma's boy, she clinged closer to her as Nandini ruffled his hair. She looked up to the other side of the room at Manik's soft voice as he murmured a song to make the two of them sleep. His face containing a sweet simple smile as he looked at the calm and peaceful face of his daughter.
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Manik lay there waiting for Nandini as she went to check on Vivaan and Ahaana. After putting them to bed, the couple had a silent dinner and decided to call it a day.

5 minutes later, Nandini climbed up next to him as he turned to face her.

Manik: U were amazing today! Everyone was talking about it.....

Nandini: I m happy we got the deal. And now u will be winning the best businessman award all over again.
Manik chuckled at her answer before lifting up his hand as he caressed her cheek.

Manik: Where would I be without u!

Nandini: No where... Coz u r here! Now u tell me how did ur meeting with the producer go.

Manik: The same old boring crap. I hate writing songs for movies... Albums are better, the lyrics don't need to be related to the script that way.

Nandini: Even though u hate it, u do great.... And wasn't dhruv helping u with the lyrics.

Manik: He is... I would hv rejected the offer if he wasn't.

Nandini: I m sure this album too is gonna be a hit.
Nandini smiled up at him.

Manik: Well, its just u who has so much belief in us.... Our last album wasn't that good Nandini!

Nandini sighed at his words before moving closer as she lied her head on his chest.
Nandini: Manik... Everyone has ups and downs! Just one bad album is not gonna make people forget ur good work. U guys have given so many hits in the past. And why do u always forget, this is not ur struggling time in the industry. U all hv been here for about 17 years now, that's almost half ur life... People know ur talent and they love u for it.

Manik wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer as he chuckled.
Manik: Always so optimistic!

Nandini: Its been years Manik.... U always think about the Negative side and I look at the Positive ones.... I guess this is what makes us perfect together.

Manik: No.... U make us perfect together!
Manik said planting a kiss on her hair making nandini smile.

Nandini: Anyways.... I hv packed ur bags, just check everything once tmrw mrng if something is missing then tell me.

Manik sighed again at her words and looked down.
Manik: U sure u r not coming with me to Dubai?

Nandini: Mani.... Vivaan and Ahaana hv their school and office also needs someone na!

Manik: U r not even stepping into the office Nandini for these two days Nandini.... I know u never get any sleep in my absence and I don't want u going to office and working the entire day.

Nandini: Who said I don't sleep in ur absence... Mr. Malhotra, stop giving urself so much importance, that thing was long back...

Manik: Mrs. Malhotra! If u hv forgotten, let me remind u. U may be amazing in lying to the entire world, but don't forget who u r with.... I can easily tell when u r lying.

Nandini bit her lip at his words smiling softly only to have him peck on her lips.
Manik: I love it that u still blush with me!

Nandini: I guess that's something I can never change.
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The next morning Nandini woke up with slight banging noise on the door. She entangled herself away from Manik and went to open up the door, only to be push back as a sleep Ahaana moved into the room, holding a cute teddy bear in her arms. The girl ignored her mother as she climbed onto the bed and moved closer, positioning herself in her father's embrace and went back to sleep.

Nandini smiled at her as she moved out of the room and walked to the next room to find Vivaan deep into his sleep while half of his duvet lay on the ground. She moved closer to him, wrapping him comfortably under the warm duvet and then decided to start her day.

Having a quick bath, she moved downstairs and made herself a cup of coffee before moving up to the music room.

Picking up her old favorite guitar, she turned a few pages of her new work as she started her daily practise session. A smile made its way onto her face, feeling the music played by her. Her eyes closed and at that moment it turned out to be another perfect morning for her. Its truly said, u can always take a person away from Music, but u can never take Music away from that person.

About an hour later, Nandini moved back to her room and moved towards Manik. Sitting next to him, she knew the way her husband likes to be woken up every morning.

Bending closer, she placed a soft peck onto his lips and whispered into his ear,
Nandini: Good morning Mani!

His usual tantrum started as he turned his face away, trying to get a little more sleep when she placed another kiss onto his cheek.
Nandini: Time to wake up!
Manik attempted to move to the other side only to stop as he felt a tiny arm wrapped around her. He turned towards Nandini again and opened up his eyes to her angelic face, smiling broadly at him. A slight smile came up on his lips at the sight as he turned to look at his daughter cuddling on his side.

Nandini: She came in the morning.... Now get up and do the honours of waking up ur princess, I hv another Monster to wake up.
Nandini said to him as she got up. She was about to move to the next room until Manik pulled her back making her fall onto him. He placed a kiss on her forehead as he replied to her,

Manik: Good morning!

A blush crept onto her face as Nandini got up and moved to the next room. Sitting next to her son, Nandini admired her little baby as she caressed his hair.

Nandini: Vivaan... Time to wake up!

Being ignored a few times, her voice kept on changing from sweet to normal to stern and finally high. Well, that's what being a mother has taught her. No matter how much she wants to shower all her love to her little buddles of joy, u always need to be a little strict to make them follow the right path.

Vivaan opened up his eyes with a grumpy face and sat up on the bed.
Nandini: Come on now get up and straight into the bathroom. Get ready fast, or u'll get late for school.

Vivaan: Mom can I plz skip school today? I don't want to go!

Nandini: Vivaan.... Up Now! I don't want any excuses.....
Nandini said again sternly as she got up from the bed and pulled him with her.

He obeyed her words this time without any more arguments and moved straight towards the washroom. Nandini picked out his school uniform as well as Ahaana's on the bed before moving back to her room to find the father daughter duo brushing together and playing in the washroom.

Nandini: Oh God... Why are u two always playing around? Ahaana come on, fast u hv to get ready for school.

Ahaana: Gud morning Mumma!
The little girl sang happily making Nandini stop in her tracks as a smile made its way on her face.

Nandini: Good morning baby! Chalo lets get u ready now... Come, we'll pack ur bag till bhai is having a bath.

Half n hour later, Nandini sat their on the dining table between both the kids as she fed them their breakfast.

Manik sat there reading the news paper as he heard the continuous chatter of Ahaana.

Ahaana: Dad... Keep the newspaper away, I m talking to u!
The little one complained making Nandini smile as Manik obeyed her words.

Manik: Ohk madam say, what is it?

Ahaana: I want u to bring Dadi and Dadu also when u come back from Dubai. I m angry from them, they hvn't come to meet me from so long.

Vivaan: If u r angry then why do u want them to come idiot.

Vivaan laughed of at her while the little girl innocently replied,
Ahaana: To punish them!

Manik laughed at his princess as he pulled her onto his lap.
Manik: Ohk, daddy will go and kidnap Dadu and Dadi for u!

Ahaana: Good... And yes, come soon okay? I don't like it when u go away.

Manik: Promise...

Ahaana: And get a lot of chocolates for me!

Manik: Done!
Manik said instantly making the girl smile broadly.

Nandini: Ahaana.... Hurry up eat this!

Vivaan: Dad when will u be returning?

Manik: Its a two day trip Champ. I will be here day after tmrw by the night. What should I get for u then?

Vivaan: The Iron man costume!
Vivaan said excitedly making Manik chuckle.

Manik: Ohk as u say... But in return u both have to promise me to be good to mom in my absence okay! Don't trouble her much....

Both the kids nodded at him while Nandini smiled at Manik.
Nandini: Ohk now come on get up both of u... The driver is waiting!

Both the kids got up, picking up their bags. They wished their parents a good bye and happy journey to Manik. Nandini kissed both of them making Vivaan wipe his cheek grumpily as he high fived his Dad. Ahaana kissed back both of them happily before running off along with her brother.

Manik: Now... Time for ur breakfast! Come on sit....
Manik said pulling Nandini back making her land on his lap.

Nandini: Manik.... Leave me!

Manik: What? Ahaana was also sitting na! What's the problem?

Nandini: She is ur daughter Manik...

Manik: And u r my wife! Now shut up and eat...
Manik said putting a piece in her mouth as Nandini shook her head with a smile and continued eating.

Both of them continued with their breakfast in the same way until they heard a voices behind them.

"Awww... U guys are just so cute!"
"Gosh PDA moment on..."

Nandini sprung out of his lap while Manik sighed recognising the voices well.

Manik: Why to disturb if u find us so cute Aliya? And how do u always manage to spoil my romance Cabir?

Nandini hit manik's shoulder as she walked towards all her friends.

Nandini: Hi guys... Morning!

All of them wished her back as they stumped onto the sofas.
Manik: So how come everyone here so early haan?

Mukti: We thought to say Bye as u were going today!
Manik smiled at them as he joined them when Nandini saw Anjali and Rishab too walking in. It had been a few years since they too shifted to India and now Abhi and Rishab had been spreading their business in India and handling the work in L.A. from here only.

She smiled at them as Rishab took her in a side hug. Anjali flopped onto the sofa while Nandini said,
Nandini: What's up Bhabhi.? Why so tired early morning?

Rishab: She was up early morning.... Nayan has her boards going on! We just dropped her at the exam center.

Nandini: I think some coffee might help u!

She called out for the servant and asked him to get coffee for everyone.

Nandini: Mukti... How is Adi? He wasn't well yesterday na, Ahaana told me he skipped school.
Nandini asked Mukti referring to Aditya, her 7 year old son, who is in the same class as Ahaana.

Mukti: Nothing yr... It was just his daily tantrum and Abhi let him skip school!
Mukti said glaring at Abhi while Nandini chuckled.

Navya and Cabir too had another daughter after Diya, they named her Mia and she was 9 years old now.

Harsh was now 13 and was totally like dhruv, silent sweet. Diya and Harsh turned out to be best of friends, as their parents had thought. They spend almost their entire day at each others places.

All of them sat together talking and laughing at silly things until Manik finally got up,
Manik: I guess I should get going now! I hv some work at office before leaving!

Rishab: Ohh yes, Abhi and I too hv a meeting to attend.

Dhruv: Me too...

Cabir: Ohk then, since everyone is busy I should also head to the hotel and kick some ass!
Cabir said seriously making everyone turn towards him with a Are_u_serious expression.

Cabir: What? I really hv to kick the managers ass for not picking up my call yesterday.

Mukti: Cabir... U can never be normal. Plz don't even try!
Mukti said rolling her eyes while the others laughed.

Aliya: I m free till the evening before that appointment in the boutique. Navya, Harsh said he'll be coming to ur place with Diya after school.

Navya: Oh yes... They had some project to complete I guess.

Aliya: Girls... Lets go somewhere! We can hv a girls day out if u all are free?

Mukti: I m free till Adi gets back from school...

Aliya: Great, lets all go for a movie. There is this amazing movie I wanted to watch.

Nandini: Ohk... Let me just change and be back then.

The guys left for their respective work while MaNan moved back up to their room. Manik checked his stuff while Nandini changed her clothes. Soon she stood in front of the mirror only for him to wrap his arms around her waist.

Manik: U look beautiful.

Nandini: Thank u! Everything ready?

Manik: Hmm...

Nandini: Call me as soon as u board the flight and also when u reach. I'll wait for ur call.

Manik: Okay! U need anything from there?
Manik asked after nodding at her instructions! Nandini smiled at his question and turned around, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Nandini: Just u... Come back soon okay and take care of urself. I'll miss u!

Manik: I will miss u too!

Giving him a small smile, she stood up on her toes placing her lips onto his, giving him a good bye kiss.

Manik kissed her back pulling her further close to himself. They pulled away a while later, gasping for air with broad smiles on their faces.

Manik: I love you..

Nandini: I know!
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A long leap again...... How was the part guys?

Just one part more to go!

Do tell me what u thought about this one and Comment all ur views of how do u want the next one to be! I'll try to make it according to all ur wishes as much as possible!

Love,
Navya😘

P.s.: A very Happy Rose Day to each one of u!
Let's welcome this week of Love together with open arms!!!💝💝