In Dixit's Palace

Everybody were running here and there to get the palace ready for the grand party..While Nandini was seen nowhere..Manik was finding a chance to talk to her but he couldn't find her, he can't ask anyone too as they don't share any kind of relationship for now..

In an ASYLUM

A girl was walking to a particular room. She opened the door and entered the room to see a doctor treating a woman lying on the bed..She smiled and moved towards the woman..

Girl ( smiled ): Hey...

The woman opened her eyes slowly and saw the girl and a small smile crept on her face, while the doctor too smiled after seeing the girl..

Docotr: Hello Nanz..

Yes, it was none other than Nanz a.k.a Nandini Dixit..

Nandini ( smiled ): Hey Irine..

Nandini bent to the woman who was still smiling at her..Once she had bent the woman forwarded her hand to her and kept it on Nandini's cheek..

Nandini ( smiled ): Happy Valentines Day Maa..

The woman made a confuse face..

Woman: Vale..Valen..

Nandini ( smiled ): Valen..tines..Day..

Woman ( with great difficulty ): Valen..tines..Valentines..Day..

Nandini ( kissed her cheeks ): Ye hui na baath..

Nandini turned to the doctor who has finished the checking and looking at her with a smile..

Nandini ( tensed ): How is she..?

Irine: Come with me..

Nandini was about to move but the woman held her hand..

Woman: Mujhe..chodke..jaa rahi ho..?

Nandini ( smiled ): Nahi Maa..bas abhi aayi..

The woman nodded and Nandini moved towards the doctor..

Irine: She is getting better now..

Nandini ( smiled widely ): Really..?

Irine ( smiled ): Yes, now she is in second stage..as you know, now she believes she is a 17 years old girl..So she can understand a bit of English..She used to think before that she was a 12 years old girl which was why she used to deny you calling her 'Maa'..But gradually she started liking you and now she got matured so she can talk with strangers too but with extra care..But still, no men..She needs to come out of that fear zone, then am sure she would get fully recovered..

Nandini's happiness had no bounds after hearing that her Maa could get fully recovered. She was a case with no expectations..The violence which she used to create in the asylum made the doctors give a final answer that she is a gone case but now she can get recovered once she overcomes her fears, and she would come out of it cause her daughter is there with her, why to worry when Nandini Dixit is with her..

Nandini just hugged Irine..She had tears in her eyes..

Nandini: Thank you..Thank you so much Irine..You don't know what you have given me..

While Irine hugged her back with a smile on her face. They broke the hug and Irine went away..While Nandini moved to the woman and made her sit and hugged her..

Nandini: Maa, aapko patha hai..aap teek honewali hai..

Woman ( confused ): Mein teek nahi hoon kya..?

She broke the hug and smiled at her..

Nandini: Aisa nahi hai Maa..aap bohath jaldh hi yaha se jaa sakthe..yaha tho sirf patients rehthe hai na..

Woman ( excited ): Patient ka mathlab wahi hai na, jinko koi beemari hai..

Nandini ( smiled ): Arey wah, aap tho ye sab janthe hai..

Woman: Haa, janthe hai..jab mein school mein thi tab ye sab pad liya mene..

Nandini ( curiously ): Tho, apne school complete kiya hai kya..?

Woman: Haa, ab mein college janewali hoon..

Nandini ( smiled ): Acha, konse degree hai..?

Woman ( smiled ): Mein, mein tho BSc keliye jaa rahi hoon..

Nandini nodded with a smile..They talked for some more time and soon the woman dozed off..

Nandini ( kissed her forehead ): Aap bohath jaldh hi teek hojayegi..kithne khush honge sab ye khabar sunkar..Love you Maa..

Saying this she got up and drove to Dixit's Palace..

In Dixit's Palace

Nandini has reached home at 4 p.m and was cross checking the decorations and catering..She have seen Manik but she swiftly avoided any kind of contact with him while he was desperately waiting for a chance to talk with her..

The party was going to start at 6 P.M and it was already 5: 20 P.M...The elders have got ready and asked the youngsters to get ready soon..

In Virendhar's Room

Viren was standing in front of the mirror with a tie around his neck but he was literally playing with it..Soon he saw his baby daughter's hand on it..

Nandini: Dad, you still don't know how to make a tie..

Viren ( chuckled ): Arey, I had a sweet wife who would do all my works and now I have a sweet daughter to do it for me..

Nandini ( sighed ): God, Dad..you really took advantages of our sweetness..

Viren chuckled while she made his tie and made him stand in front of the mirror..

Nandini ( teased ): Uff, so damn hot, none of the ladies would be sane in the party today..

Viren ( pinched her ears ): Besharam..apne baap se bath kar rahi hai tu..

Nandini ( giggled ): Tho, mere liye aap mere Baap bhi hai aur friend bhi hai..And friends do compliment each other, you know..

Viren chuckled and kissed her forehead..

Viren ( smiled ): Ab jaakar taiyar ho jaa..

Nandini: As you wish your Highness..

Viren chuckled at her childishness while she went away whistling all over the Palace..

Outside Raj's Bedroom

Manik got ready and was walking in the corridor when he spotted someone outside his Dad's room..

Manik ( whispered ): Nandini..

It was Nandini who came to check on her Pops, but before she could go inside Raj came outside with a grumpy face but soon turn into an angry one after seeing his daughter..

Nandini ( confused ): Why so angry Mr. Grumpy..

Raj ( glared ): Like really, where the hell have you been huh..I've been waiting for you with..

Nandini ( coolly ): With your Tie..I knew it..You both are really born to be best friends..I mean the great business tycoons Virendhar Dixit and Raj Malhotra don't know how to make a tie..Now give it to me..

Raj gave it to her while she put it around his neck and started making the tie for him..Manik was watching all these things with amusement written all over his face..His Dad was never this close with him, he doesn't become jolly or comical with him. It will always be serious. He would ask him about his studies and about how his life goes on and that's it..it looked like he is just checking on his son to know whether he is fine or not..No having fun with each other but here a new Raj Malhotra could be seen. He is getting grumpy, childish and acting cute and sweet too..But he was noticing Nandini too..She was telling some or the other thing which was just increasing the smile on Raj's face. Raj was laughing along with her which brought a smile on Manik's lips.." She is very much important for him " thought Manik..

Nandini ( smiled ): Lo ho gaya..

Raj ( bowed down ): Thank you Love..

Nandini ( thoughtfully ): Hmm, you know what, now I understood why you and Dad are best friends..

Raj ( curiously ): Why..?

Nandini ( smirked ): You guys don't know how to make a tie, you guys always get grumpy and also you both look extremely hot in suits which can even make a lady of 60 faint in her place..

Manik was standing with wide opened mouth seeing his Love passing comments or flirting with his own Dad..While Raj was glaring at her which she ignored sheepishly..

Raj: The last one is a compliment so I am leaving you..

Nandini ( smirked ): Oh really Mr. Raj Malhotra..

Raj ( nodded ): Oh yes Miss Nandini Dixit..

They both looked at each other and started laughing and then Raj kissed her forehead..

Raj ( narrowed his eyebrows ): Tu abhi thak taiyar kyu nahi..jaa..last minute mein sab kuch karnewali..

Nandini ( shrugged ): Wo bhi ek quality hai..

Raj ( sighed ): Tu tho har kaam mein unique hai..

Nandini ( grinned ): I know it..okay bye..lemme get ready..Love you..

She started whistling again and went away while Manik hid behind a pillar. He didn't want her to think that he has witnessed the father-daughter talks..

At 6 p.m.

The party has started and everybody were present in the hall except M5. Fab 5 were standing near the drinks corner..

( Alya's Attire )

( Mukti's Attire )

( Cabir's Attire )

( Dhruv's Attire )

( Manik's Attire )

Soon they were joined by their fathers too..

Viren: Yar, ye Ravi kaha mar gaya..

Voice: Mara nahi abi thak..

Ravi Kapoor: Another best friend of Virendhar Dixit, Rohit Khuranna and Raj Malhotra..They are friends since childhood. Ravi introduced Akash, Swayam and Ranveer to Viren, Rohit and Raj and soon they became a gang..Ravi is much closer to Viren. They are like brothers. For Viren, there is no difference between Raj and Ravi..He considers M5 as his own children. Nandini is like his own daughter. When Nandini was born, he vowed that he and his children will always protect her..Soha is like his own daughter for him..He is 55 years old..

They turned their heads to the voice to find Ravi Kapoor standing with his wife..Viren hugged Ravi and side hugged his wife too..

Viren: Kese hai yar..kab se wait kar rahe hai..aur behna tum..tum tho isse samjha sakthe na Poorvi..

Poorvi Kapoor: Wife of Ravi kapoor. She is a sweetheart. She pampers her sons like no one, even Aryamann. While Nandini and Soha are still babies for her and so she is very over protective for them. She considers Ravi's friends as her brothers. Viren is her childhood Rakhi brother too, so for Ravi, Viren is his saala too..She is managing the kapoor's hospital as she is a gynaecologist..She is 53 years old..She was Chhavi's best friend..

Poorvi: Poochiye math Viren Bhayya..sab kuch inki wajah se hua hai..aaj hi meeting rakhna tha..

Ravi ( sheepishly ): Arey mein kya karoon..mujhe laga meeting sirf 2 ghante keliye hoga par meeting karthe karthe patha nahi waqt kese guzr gaya..

Raj ( sighed ): Teri aadhat tho aisa hi hai na, jab kuch pasandh karthe hai tho usse chodega bhi nahi, kaam ithna pasandh karthe hai tu addicted hai ab, jaise ki bachpan se bhabi teri addiction hogayi thi..

Poorvi ( blushed ): Kya Raj Bhayya..

Everyone laughed at it while Poorvi spotted Fab 5 who were just smiling..

Poorvi ( excited ): Arey ye tho hamare baaki ke bache hai na..Fab 5..

Fab 5 looked at her in shock..

Poorvi ( went towards them ): Mein tum logonko bohath milna chahthi thi, ab yaha aaye tho mujhse bhi milo..main hoon Poorvi Kapoor..mere bache Dev aur Sid ko tho janthe hai na tum log..

Fab 5 got to know that they are Dev's and Sid's parents..They smiled at her..

Poorvi: Acha hai, wese bhi main sabko janthi hoon..tumhare photos dekh liya tha mene..par tum log aise kyu khada hai, hame join karo na..Raj Bhayya, ye kya tareeka hai..apne bachon ko door bethne diya hai..

Raj ( widened his eyes ): Kya, mein kyu aise karoon behna..wo log reserved rehna chahthe hai tho wo meri wajah se kaise ban gaya..

Poorvi ( sighed ): Kuch bhi haan, are bachon ko hame comfort dena chahiye..wo thodi kahenge ki wo bhi join karna chahthe hai, arey waise bhi M5 yaha pe nahi na, tabhi tho ithna sannatha hai yaha par..

Ravi: Arey meri Poorvi, tum chup hi raho..kabse bachon ko tang kar rahe hai..waise bacho mein hoon Ravi, tumhare fathers ka best friend hoon..hum sab ek gang hai, wo bhi school se lekar..

Fab 5 smiled genuinely at him. They at least knew how much friends are valuable but just don't know how to accept Nandini for their best friend Manik..

Ravi: Waise, hamare bacho kaha hai..

Ranvir: Abi thak entry nahi maara..

Akash ( joked ): M5 hai, thoda intezaar karna padega..

Swayam ( nodded ): Bilkul sahi kaha tumne..

Soon they heard hooting from the sides..

Lalith: Lagtha hai bache aaya hai..

Each and every one's heads snapped their heads at the entrance only to gasp..It was the couple of M5..

( Aryamann's Attire )

( Soha's Attire )

Poorvi ( smiled ): Bohath pyare lag rahe ho dono ek saath mein..

The couple joined them..

Arya: Hey mami..( Poorvi is Soha's Mami and so even Arya calls her Mami )

Poorva ( kissed his forehead ): Mera bacha tho bohath handsome lag raha hai..

Fab 5 really felt a motherly warmth in her when she talked with them and now they could feel the depth of Love that she has for Aryamann..

Soha hugged Ravi..

Soha: Heyy Mamu..

Ravi: So, how is Mamu's princess..?

Soha: All good..

She went and hugged poorvi..

Poorvi: Kese hai meri bachi..

Soha: Kesi lag rahi hoon mein..

Poorvi: Bindass..

Soha ( winked at her ): Tho mein bindass feel bhi kar rahi hoon..

Ravi: Wese baaki kaha hai..

Soha ( sighed ): Patha nahi, aapko tho patha hai, wo theeno hamesha late hai..soulie tho kaam mein busy rehthi hai aur Sid aur Dev Bhai jagde mein..

Ravi: Point hai..

Soon they saw every girl ogling at a particular point..They followed their gaze..

( Dev's Attire )

( Sid's Attire )

The boys joined them too..

" HEY PAPAS AND Mumma "

They went and hugged their mom first..

" Love you Mom "

Poorvi: Love you too..bohath ache lag rahe hai mere dono ladle..

Sid: Ham paidha hi hot the Mumma..

Ravi ( smirked ): Kyunki, tum logon ka baap hot tha..

Dev ( teased ): Isiliye tho hamari mumma ne aapse shadi ki..

Ravi glared at him while others giggled at Ravi..

Poorvi: Wese meri bachi kaha hai..

Sid: She was helping Ritu to get ready, maybe the siblings will come together..

Soha ( smiled ): Of course they are..look over there..

Their heads turned to the entrance to see the Dixit siblings walking towards them without giving a damn to the world..

( Abhimanyu's Attire )

( Vishal's Attire )

( Ritesh's Attire )

Soha ( excited ): O.M.G, soulie is looking so damn gorgeous..

Manik was standing with wide opened mouth..She was looking extremely gorgeous or rather stunning. He has never seen her this bold back in India..She was laughing with her brothers which brought a smile on his lips too..She seems so happy when she is with her family..

Soon she came towards them and hugged Poorvi in the next second after seeing her..that's when he noticed her hair style which really made him frown..

Manik ( self thought ): Why did she make it in a bun..? I so hate her hair in a bun..She knew I love her in open hair but still she has to make it in a bun, wait..isn't it off shoulder, yeah not fully, but still it is..Can't she wear something that won't show what's mine to these bloody bast**** ..Don't they have any job other than ogling at my girl..My..? Of course Manik, she was always yours..its you stupid who always pushed her off..

Nandini ( pouted ): Beautiful...I missed you a lot..Aayi kyu nahi aap..aaj discussion day tha..

Poorvi ( held her ears ): Sorry baby, par saari galthi tumhara Ravi Papa ke tha..

Nandini took her hands back from Poorvi's ears and then turned to Ravi..

Nandini ( glared ): Really Papa..?

Ravi ( stammered ): Main..arey maine..kuch nahi kiya..

Nandini ( sarcastically ): Acha, tho kisne rakha meeting..maine rakha..? Appko tho patha hai na ki hum discussions saath emin karthe hai..

Ravi ( puppy face ): Sorry Doll..I just got lost in meeting..

Nandini ( sighed ): Fine, par on one condition..

Ravi: And what's that..?

Nandini ( smirked ): You will have to stay a home for 2 days without working..

Ravi ( stunned ): What..? You know I can't sit without working..?

Nandini ( coolly ): Of course, that's why its called punishment..

Ravi ( whined ): Doll..

Nandini: No ifs and buts..warna I won't accept your apology..

Ravi ( huffed ): Fine..

She smiled and hugged him and wished..

" Happy Valentines Day "

Ravi smiled and kissed her forehead.." Happy Valentines Day to you too Princess"

Soon the party has started..

Everybody were having fun..The dance floor got ready and the couples have taken the lead..While Sid forwarded his hand towards Nandini for which she acted like thinking, when Sid hit her forehead lightly..She laughed and took his hand and went to the dance floor..But someone was seeing all these things which really erupted the volcano..Of course it was Manik..

They were dancing or they were just irritating the beautiful art called dancing. SidNi were known for irritating stuffs, even the arts have to bear it..

Nandini ( touched her throat ): Sid, I am thirsty..Let me get a drink..

Sid ( nodded ): Fine, by the time I will get some hot chick to flirt..

She laughed and went away and had a drink and looked back at the dance floor to see her friends enjoying. She smiled and was about to move when a hand pulled her by arm to a dark room and pushed her inside and locked the door..While the moment she felt the touch on her hand, she could only sigh..

The person has just kept his hand on the switch board when her voice came out..

Nandini ( sighed ): Ab kya chahiye Manik..?

Manik who didn't turn yet got shocked knowing the she can recognize his touch without having a look at him..he switched on the light and turned towards her..

Manik ( curiously ): You still can recognize my touch..

Nandini ( sighed ): Only one man has the guts to pull me like this, and that's you..

He walked towards her with his trademark smirk..He pulled her by waist making her shock..

Manik ( dangerously ): And only one man has the right to hold you like this, which is me again, but..you were giving that right to someone else..

Nandini ( confused ): What..? When did I..? What are you talking about..?

Manik ( angry ): Why were you dancing with him..? He is just your friend..then how come he is holding you like how I hold you..

She came out of his grip..

Nandini ( glared ): First of all, he is not just a friend, he is my best friend..the friend who always stood by my side when I was in my worst condition, he is the one who could handle me, no matter in whatever situation I am..And secondly..Who gave you the right to hold me like that huh..You did have that right..back in India..Because we were not friends, more than that..but now, we are nothing for each other..if there is some relation then that's being children of two childhood buddies..So you have no right to hold me just like how you did moments back or even interfere in my life or to check on whom I hang around with..Just stay away from me Manik..far away..

Saying this she was about to go when he stopped her by holding her wrist. He pulled her in a force which made her back hit his chest..

Nandini ( gasped ): Manik..

Manik ( sighed ): Just stop all these Nandini..I am..I am done with it..I didn't know that I was the reason for our separation..All these years..I believed it was you who betrayed me cause all I knew was every relationship needs trust to maintain it but I never learnt that those relationships need understanding too..

Nandini ( closed her eyes ): You are right for the first time Manik..You never knew how to understand a person..Let me go Manik..

Manik ( he nuzzled in her neck ): I can't..Whenever I see you, all I want is to be with you..Our moments which we had just pain me..

She took a deep breathe to calm herself. His proximity always create a havoc in her which is happening now too, but she just can't give herself in it..She may trust him but she doesn't trust his heart cause even if it beats for her it will always listen to his friends, no matter if they are wrong..

Nandini ( turned towards him ): Manik, every relationship needs trust along with Love and we lack in it..so please..

Manik ( cupped her cheeks ): I do trust you, please believe me..

She took his hand back from her cheek and held it in her's..

Nandini ( smiled weakly ): And that's why you asked me to leave you..I don't know whether you trust me or not, But I don't trust it ( she pointed at his heart )..This heart always listens to your friends who hate me to the core..And honestly, I don't like them either, except the boys, at least they know me..You would listen to them, you would trust them more..

Manik ( sighed ): Nandini, i know..

Nandini ( softly ): You know something, you love them a lot..like, you wouldn't have loved anyone in this world like you love them, and this love separated us..because the Love that you have for them doesn't want me near you, and if such a situation arise when you will have to chose any of us in future, you would go for them..I don't want my heart to break again..I am a strong person Manik but it doesn't mean my heart is a stone, it also has softness which is very hard to see, only some people could see it and so those people could break it easily, which is why you broke it years back..Please stay away from me Manik..

She moved forward and kissed his left cheek making his eyes go wet..

Nandini ( whispered in his ears ): Nobody could hold that place in my heart which you do Manik, not any other guy, not even Sid..

She too had tears which she held back in her eyes..She moved towards the door..

Nandini ( didn't turn back ): Our fathers have a very deep friendship Manik, please don't break it, nobody should get to know about our past, it will break them..I beg you..

She went away while he stood there in a week state, his eyes had tears..But then he managed to whisper even after knowing that he lost her for now.." I will make sure none come in between us again Nandini, this is Manik Malhotra's promise which wouldn't be broken, not now, not in future.."

To be continued..