Note: The italicized paras between the song are 'her memories from childhood in flashes'
Whereas the normal paras are her present thoughts state of mind.

**********

At Devil girls' old house in Mumbai, Nandini's POV

The darkness of night is only partially erased with the dim light from the hall, deadly silence around with occasional breeze that could be heard, a girl; hair tied in a high ponytail, wearing the same day-old clothes, sitting on the stole in front of her musical instruments but, her looks are blank...

Her fingers pressed the tunes only to start the music breaking the pregnant silence... her eyes dilate when she recalls everything going around her... She is broken! Her heart is broken!

Main Kabhi Batlaati Nahi,
Par Andhere Se Darti Hoon Main Maa
Yuun To Main Dikhlaati Nahi,
Teri Parwaah Karti Hoon Main Maa

"Maa...Maa... Switch on the lights. Maaa" a little girl shouted from her bedroom as her mother switched off the lights of the hall making it completely black for a goodnight's sleep.
Her mother came from the other room and stood at the door with her hands on her hips "So! Are you still scared of darkness? Grow-up, Nandu! You're a big girl now!"

"Who's scared?" little Nandu revert back in attitude. "It's just... ...I couldn't see anything!" she said and turned her back. Her mother shook her head at her silly reasoning and walked to switch on the bedlights.

Tujhe Sab Hai Pata, Hai Na Maa
Tujhe Sab Hai Pataa... Meri Maa

As the lyrics escaped my lips, I am not amazed by my own creation. I knew it's my emotions that's coming out in the form of song. My own emotions!... My eyes moisten as I rewind my sweet-bitter memories with my beloved mother.

How she used to make my hair? How she plays with me both laughing, falling n tripping? How she used to scold me for giving my tiffin to the stray dogs? How she used to sulk and make faces when I show my stubbornness and do the things that she denied to? Then how I have to sing & dance for her to make her happy again? She is so cute!!!   _WAS!_

Bheed Mein Yuun Na Chhodo Mujhe,
Ghar Laut Ke Bhi Aana Paau Maa
Bhejna Itna Dooor Mujhko Tu,
Yaad Bhi Tujhko Aana Paau Maa

Once when Nandu was studying in class 1, she with her parents went to a fair(Mela) from where her father has to leave early due to some emergency at his work leaving behind her & her mother. She was so excited seeing the lightings, decorations, so many toys, dolls, games, food stalls, many people around, buying, playing, roaming, laughing. She's just pulling her Maa along to everywhere but not sticking at one-place for longer.

"Nandu! Slow down! Let me see those flower vase" her mother shouted amidst the crowd as she pulled her towards something when her mom wanted to buy that. "Maa... see bangles. I want that red one" she pointed up and her mother started choosing few, but this impatient soul can't stand patiently any longer when she found lots of bubbles flowing in a distance.

"Wow... Bubbles" she murmured and started to pull the pallu and walked ahead. Upon reaching near the man who's selling bubbles, keeping her full attention at the flowing bubbles she voiced "Maa... I want this" But the voice that returned made her frightened and terrified

"I'm not you Maa"

She turned back only to see a young lady. She instantly let go of her pallu and eyed around searching her mother amidst the crowd... but failed to find. Fear started creeping in her system making her face pale and eyes tearing up... "Maaa... M-maa" she chocked at her voice but yelled loud in the crowd, bubbles getting long forgotten.

Thankfully her mother knew her better and walked towards the bubbles upon not finding her near, only to see her little Nandu standing and crying for her.

Kya Itni Buri Hoon Main Maa
Kya Itni Burii... Meri Maa

I literally meant what I voiced: "Am I so bad that you leave me alone, Maa?" I wanna ask you. I wanna know what's wrong? why did you leave me alone in this cruel world? Am I troubling you a lot? Then I promise, I won't be stubborn anymore rather listen to your every word. Can you please come back?
I Miss You, Maa...

Jab Bhi Kabhi Papa Mujhe,
Zor Zor Se Jhula Jhulate Hai Maa
Meri Nazar Dhoondhe Tujhe,
Sochun Yahi Tu Aake Thaamegi Maa

I recalled our happy times when, Papa, me & Maa used to visit the park together... The little nandu always used to stick to the swing making her father push her from the back and Maa used to stand in front to prevent me from falling hard.
Those happy days full of touches of laughter!

Unase Main Yeh Kehti Nahi,
Par Main Seham Jaati Hoon Maa
Chehre Pe Aane Deti Nahi,
Dil Hi Dil Mein Hi Ghabraati Hoon Maa

Tujhe Sab Hai Pata Hai Na Maa
Tujhe Sab Hai Pataa... Meri Maa

I spoke my unspoken words as if she's listening from the stars...
"All these years... after you and Papa left me, I'm standing strong. I'm a strong girl, your Nandu! I never let my tears escape my eyes. I never let it show in my face, how frightened and scared I am!
I'm afraid to lose one I love! I'm not that strong to bear another loss. I'm afraid, to let Papa down. I want to fulfill all your dreams, all that you want your Nandu to be like. I want to make you proud. I want to get you justice! I'm not weak, Maa... You Nandu is not weak.

You know me... right Maa?"

O Main Kabhi Batlaati Nahi,
Par Andhere Se Darti Hoon Main Maa
Yuun To Main Dikhlaati Nahi,
Teri Parwaah Karti Hoon Main Maa

I never said it... Even I tried to make myself believe that I hate you for leaving us alone
But...

I can't!
I can't hate you, Maa...

I care for you...
I Love You, Maa... I really do!

Tujhe Sab Hai Pata, Hai Na Maa
Tujhe Sab Hai Pataa... Meri Maa

As the music piece completed, I felt wetness on my cheeks...

"I'm not crying, okay? It's just... Something went into my eyes!" I murmured blinking my eyes vigorously and trying to keep up a smile... Fake smile! But I terribly failed...

Inhaling a deep breath, I looked up at the ceiling...

"Maa!"

I called her. Is she listening to me? Or maybe she's angry with me? because I left her to die... when she's willing to live!

Gosh!  I'm so selfish, man!

How can I leave her like that? She was alive back then... She was damn taking breath!!!
But what did I do?... I just witnessed their murder and then ran away being coward... later cursing and blaming Maa for choosing to die hand-in-hand with her love, but not choosing to live for her children.

But in reality... She wanted to live for us... for me & Rishu... She did...
I was wrong all along!

I'm so devastated right now... This feeling is killing me from inside... I got up and walked out to the kitchen, took out the beer cans I bought on the way.

I wanna get drunk right now!
It hurts!!

Walking up to the hall, I settled down at the floor leaning onto the legs of the sofa, placed the beer cans on the table, and opened one of them... taking a lump of it.

'Now what?
Mukti got her family back! Not only her brother, her superhero but also her mother back. Her family is complete now.
What about me?'

I slide the hair that blew on my face due to the open window... It's midnight, but the breeze is strong as if some storm is coming. But my life is already full of storms! I again emptied a can sitting under the dim light.

I want a company... But who'll accompany me?

Mukti would be busy with her family reunion, Navya with her bf and Abhi to look after them... Who's there for me?

I smiled sadly before taking a big lump of it... It burned through my throat till my stomach. But my heart burns more!

Who cares?

After like 'n' number of empty cans dumped at the side, -Hey! Don't worry, I've got a good tolerance. I'm in sense!- I grabbed my phone which I've switched off so that they can't track me. I know if they'd know where I am, they'll come running. Or Maybe they won't, are busy?

 Switching it on, I scrolled through my contact list... click and text a message "If U'r nt daed, Meet me now! At Heom" Send! and again switched off the phone throwing it away.

God knows if he'll come or not! I smiled sarcastically before continuing with my mission... "Mission Drunk!"

-----------------------

Malhotra Mansion, Manik's POV

I watched the sun started to rise from the horizon, the dark sky is slowly and lightly getting back its light... Just like my life!

I turned my neck to see my Cutie sleeping on my shoulders encircling her hands around my arm... just like a baby.
I can't word out how happy I am getting back my cutie, my sister after so long? I missed her a lot! She's the only girl who I loved so much, cared for so much... more than my own self!

This reminds me of Nandini!

Where is she? She just ran out so fast. I hope she's okay!
I haven't kept my men to spy on her anymore after what she said that time. She was right! She is! Even she is the one who saved my Cutie... What she has done for her without any relation in the first place, I couldn't even be able to do that being a brother. Also, it is, somewhere, due to her that today I've got my mom back and got to know the truth behind everything.

I was so much in misconception from all years long; I hated my Mom who's not at fault. I despise her love n care calling it fake. And it is all due to one person!

I felt Mukti stirring at her sleep, nuzzling more into me and scrunching her brows as the daylight started to come. My lips twitch up looking at her. No doubt I felt the attachment with her, she's my Mukti after all!

All night long, after Mukti came making Mom sleep in her room, we both are sitting on the terrace, on the swing. We talked so many things, recalled & revived our cute-naughty memories, and after like so many years, for the first time, I laughed yesterday night with my Cutie.
She made this heartless and expressionless monster to show his emotions.

I was not a monster before. I used to be very cheerful, expressive, caring, protective & possessive for my sister and friends, happy-going, and with a good heart.
But after Mukti and Mom left, from that night everything turned, everything changed! And I turned into a beast, which I was not.
And now that I got my sister with me, my Mom, my friends and she, Nandini... I'm changing, yet again!

I felt Mukti's head slipping from my shoulder and before I could hold her, she jerks up and woke up getting startled. I silently cursed myself for being involved in thoughts and not having attention at Mukti.

"Umm... Goodmorning, Bhai!" She cooed rubbing her eyes cutely.

"Goodmorning, Cutie!" I chirped happily making her smile. She looked around squinting her eyes and then looked at my face thoroughly before speaking

"You didn't sleep yesterday night?"

I hardly sleep these years. "Just a bit." I replied before standing up from the swing and stretching my body. I am almost numb from sitting at a position for a night.

She too stood up next to me looking at the orange sky. "Do you hate Mom?" she asked making me turn to face her.

"No... now I don't!" I replied honestly. Hearing the truth from mom, I rather feel guilty for hating and cursing her for so many years. She has gone through a lot!

"Do you hate me... for what I am?" I asked a bit unsure. I never wanted my sister to hate me for me being the merciless Mafia King.

She smiled at me before answering "No... I never. You was, is and will always be my Superhero. And how can someone hate her superhero, bro?" she giggled lastly making the air cheerful.

"Bhai! You should talk with mom sometime... You both need it" she suggested sounding serious. I know, she's right. Still, I've not talked to mom personally, but Mukti did.

I passed her a brief smile nodding at her "Okay! Now, are you gonna sleep more or join me for coffee?" I asked.

"Umm--Sleeping Coffee"

I instantly chuckled at her reply. She used to answer like this when she wants both the choices. Weird, na?

"Okay! You go n sleep now. We'll have coffee after you wake up." I dismissed her and she happily walked to hit her bed.

'Now I have to search for that bastard who's behind all our suffering!' i thought while walking towards my study room.

But before that, I got dumped into Abhi who dashed out of his room all of a sudden when I'm passing by

"oh! sorry." he muttered instantly backing away while I just give him looks. I just don't like this guy; He's extra close to Nandini and girls.

"Um-Have you by any chance know where are Mukti & Navya?" I narrowed my brow at his question. He looks in a hurry too.

"Mukti just got to bed and Navya... probably with Cabir" I answered unwillingly.
Well, he too takes care of my Mukti and others after all. So, I don't hate him that much.

"Oh! then I have to go alone." he muttered to himself but I heard.

"Where are you going?"

"To Nandini!" comes his instant reply causing all my senses activated.

"Why? Where is she?... Is everything alright?" the words just automatically came out of my mouth before I could hold it.

He looked for a second before replying "I don't know. She had her phone switched off the moment she left. I was worried as she left distressed. And when I woke up, I noticed that she has her phone 'on' for a few minutes at night and I traced the location."

"I'll join you" I spoke and walked out ahead, with him following me.

Even I wanna ensure if she's fine or not.

But who knew, when I'd reached the location and find her... my blood will boil out at the sight in front of my eyes!

**********

What do you think, what Manik saw there?

Any words for Nandini & her heart feelings?

Whom do you think, Nandini had messaged to come n meet?

Also, The song "Meri Maa" from the movie 'Taare Zameen Par'. What you felt hearing it? Heart-touching, isn't it?

A/N:- I've decided a regular update for this story:
                                                                             "New chapters every Friday!"

But, if in case, there is a delay due to my studies or I'm in good mood for an early update, I'll notify you in this message-board.
You can read my message board for the details.

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Love ya! Take care!!