In Malhotra Mansion

The whole Mansion was looking so gloomy. The happiness whenever the family gathers around, has been just lost somewhere. Shanno has called up Akshara and Poorvi and even they were present in the Mansion. They scolded Shanno for hiding such a big issue from them but after knowing it was Nandini who asked her not to disclose it to anyone, they could only sigh at it. Their best friend was just alive in their daughter. M5 were sitting with Ritesh and Rishab while Abhi was made to stay with Vishal in the Dixit's Mansion. If he gets to know about the issue, then he wouldn't be reacting like Viren instead he will just punch the hell out of Manik..

Akash ( frustrated ): Where the hell are they..?

Lalith: Akash, thoda sabr rakh. They need to understand Manik and princess's point of view..

Ravi: Exactly. Isiliye bache usse samjhane keliye gaye hai na..

Akash ( scowled ): Are you serious..? Chote bache hai kya jo samjhane keliye kisike zaroorath padi..

Rohit ( sighed ): Akash..You know the issue isn't something that happens every now and then to take it easy. Manik aur princess ke relationship ithna smooth nahi tha and we just got to know about it, so Raj and Viren won't be able to take it lightly.

Swayam: Aur ye baath tu bhi jantha hai, tho ithna childishly kyu behave kar rahe ho..?

Ranvir: Yar, ismein kaun childish ho raha hai. Don't you think Akash is right ? Raj and Viren should have listened to them before..

Akash ( bad face ): Aur wo kaise ho sakthe hai. Diapers ke umar se hi dhono ko ek ajeeb si similar quality hai aur wo hai har kaam ek saakth ek jaise karna..Patha nahi ye dhono ke pehle make out bhi kahi ek jaisa tho nahi..

Venkatesh ( scowled ): Akash...bache hai yaha..

Swayam: Arey bachon se yaad aaya..Fab 4...

He turned his head to Fab 4 who were gulping hard after seeing their daddy dearest's faces..

Ranvir: Cabir....

Cabir: Ji uncle..

Ranvir ( sternly ): Fab 5 mein, tumhein sabse zyada mature samajke rakha tha mene par tum bhi inn charon ke tarah nikla..Couldn't you confess about Manik and Princess' relationship..??

Cabir ( looked down ): Uncle wo..

Akash ( expressionless ): Jab bade kuch poochthe hai tho aankhon mein dekhke sach bolna chahiye..

Cabir immediately looked at Ranvir while getting a bit scared with his Dad's tone..M5 stared at each other with " another round of sach khulana " looks on their faces while Ritesh and Rishab felt a bit bad for Cabir. They found him the most genuine among Fab 5.

Ranvir: Jawab miloge..??

Cabir ( apologetically ): Manik is my best friend, uncle. I couldn't betray him. I am sorry for not letting you know about their relationship..

Lalith: Friendship was much important than your Dad..? Khair, tujhe patha nahi tha pehle ki princess aur hamare beech koi rishtha tha ya nahi par Paris mein aane ke baad keh sakthe the tum..

Cabir ( nodded ): Ji, I could have told about it, but then it would mean that I was betraying my friendship with Manik. I won't say Dad was less important than Manik but he was equally important to Dad in my life. He was at fault for sure, par uske childhood ithna bhi acha nahi tha jo bina galathi karke ek saint ban sakthe wo..

The elders shot a look at him when he mentioned about childhood. That was always a sensitive topic for them and it was the kids who chose it. They just couldn't have trust in their fathers enough to stay with them..

Ranvir ( narrowed his eyebrows ): And what about the FIGHTS..?

Fab 4 gave a confused look..

Lalith: Fab 5 v/s NH3..

Navya stared at Lalith wide opened mouth and so Fab 4. When did they get to know about it..?

Akash: Navya beta, muh band karo warna acha nahi lagega..

She immediately closed her mouth and looked at Cabir to see him giving her a stupid grin as if saying " shayad hum agle janam mein mil sakthe hain "..

Swayam: Nh3 consists of Nandini Murthy a.k.a Nandini Dixit, Navya naveli or Navya Dhawan, Shahid and Harshad Saxena. They were a band in Space Acedemy and they were Fab 5's favorite enemies. These 2 bands fight like cats and dogs whenever they meet each other..

Ranvir: Aur humne ye bhi suna ki Space college ke best friends Nandini aur Navya Fab 5 ke ragging ke victim the..Aisa kya kiya tha inn logon ne tumhare saath, Navya beta..??

Navya gulped and looked at Ranvir with a really stupid smile while Fab 4 were sweating profusely. Cabir has even started chanting mantras which he learnt from Navya..

Lalith: Jawab nahi hai kya..?

Navya ( stuttered ): Uh...Uncle..aisi koi badi bath nahi hai..

Swayam ( raised his eyebrow ): Tho phir wo jo choti baath hai, wo kya hai..??

She was finding it so difficult to even stand. She didn't want to bring all those old memories again. It was just a prank for her by now, especially after falling in Love with Cabir.

Before they could continue the question/answer game, they saw two figures entering inside the Mansion..

Akash: Raj..Manik...

Raj and Manik entered the Mansion while talking and laughing with each other which was like a shock for the rest..

Ranvir ( whispered ): Kahi mere eyesight ko kuch hua tho nahi...

Akash: Ranvi, tu mujhe pinch kar sakthe kya..

Ranvir: Ye tho hum dhono har din karthe hai. Tu bhi pinch karna..

Akash nodded and they both pinched each other..

Akash ( screamed ): Kameene, ithne zor se koi pinch kartha hai kya..

Ranvir ( shocked ): Haww, mathlab ye sach hain..!!

Raj and Manik looked at them with a frown on their foreheads after hearing them screaming..

Raj: Oye, tujhe hua kya hai. Chilla kyu rahe the Ranvi par..Aur Ranvi, kya hai sach..??

Akash moved forward and touched Raj's forehead..

Akash: Tujhe bhukaar tho nahi hai..

Raj ( annoyed ): Kya pak rahe hai tu..

Akash ignored him and moved towards Manik and checked his eyes while he ( Manik ) looked at him like he has seen a zombie..

Manik: Uncle, mere aankhon mein kuch hai kya..

Akash: Wahi tho doond raha hoon, tujhe kahi tera baap ko dekhar Cabir tho nahi laga..

Manik: Hain..??

Raj: Abey tujhe hua kya hai..

Swayam: Abey tum dhono ko kya hua..

Ranvir: Jaathe waqt Raj aur Manik banke hi gaya aur ab aathe waqt Dharamweer aur Raj banke aaya hai..

Raj ( confused ): Kya..kaun Dharamweer..

Ranvir ( grinned ): Arey DDLJ ke hero Raj aur uska baap Dharamweer, coolest Dad and son forever..

Ravi hit his forehead while Rohit smacked Ranvir's head..

Rohit: Chup kar saale, ithna serious situation chal raha hai aur tujhe DDLJ ke padi hai..

Akash: Arey bhale ye gadha hai, phir bhi point tho hai..Mr. Raj Malhotra, care to explain about such a change in your relationship with your son, Manik Malhotra and that too in such a short span of time..??

Raj ( smiled ): I forgave him...

The rest looked at him with a wide grin..

Rohit ( grinned ): Really..? You did..?

Raj ( nodded with a smile ): I did..I just got to know how much my Love mattered to my son and how he can never stay away from her and also, we sort our issues out with each other..

That was it, the men pounced on Raj in happiness. The ladies wiped their tears which came out of their eyes when they saw a happy Raj. Cabir and Dhruv hugged Manik tightly who hugged them back in equal intensity. Mukti, Navya and Alya side hugged him..M5 were also looking at the duo with a smile on their faces. They were happy for their Raj Papa and most importantly, they have accepted Manik for their best friend so seeing him happy will make her happy and seeing her happy will make them happy..

Ravi ( smacked Raj's head ): Kameene, ithna kuch hua aur tum aise chalke aa rahe the jaise kuch hua hi nahi..

Akash: Ab wo kaise, beta wapas mila tho dosthon ka kya faida..dekhliya teri dosthi saale..

Raj ( shrugged his shoulders ): Tum logon ka muh bandh karne keliye kya dena padega mujhe..

Ranvir: Kithne gandhe aadhmi hai ye, apne hi dosth ke muh bandh karwana hai isko..

Raj: Acha hi hoga na..tere muh se waise bhi bohath badboo aathe hai..

Ranvir made a bad face while others laughed at it..Manik roamed his eyes throughout the hall but couldn't find Nandini which made him scared. What if Viren didn't forgive Nandini. Will he snatch her from him ( Manik ) ??

Raj ( frowned ): Viren...

Swayam ( sighed ): Wo ab thak wapas nahi lauta hai..

Raj( confused ): Wapas nahi aaya mathlab..? Wo kahi gaya tha kya..?

Lalith: Tere saath saath wo bhi nikal gaya tha..

Raj: Aur tum logo ne usse jaane diya..

Ravi ( held Raj's shoulder ): It was needed Raj. Viren needed some lone time but princess went behind him..

Raj ( sighed in relief ): Thank God, Love went behind him varna patha nahi kya kya karega uss gadhe ne. Kuch bhi seede se nahi karega jab wo upset hojathe hai..

" Gadhe kisko bola..?? " they heard a voice from the entrance..

Raj ( smiled turning behind ): Of course tumhe, Mr. Virendhar Dixit..

Viren made a bad face and entered inside. Manik roamed his eyes for Nandini but she wasn't with him. It scared him to death. Viren moved to Raj and hugged him who hugged him back with the never ending smile..

Raj ( whispered ): Tu teek hai na..?

Viren ( whispered ): Haan..aur tu..??

Raj ( smiled ): Never better..

They broke the hug and Viren's gaze fell on Manik who shifted his gaze from Viren to the floor. He couldn't meet Viren's eyes.

Raj ( frowned ): Where is Love..??

Viren ( sighed ): Andhar nahi aana hai usko..Tumhari gaadi jo bahar dekh liya yaha aane keliye mana kar rahi thi..

Raj ( sadly ): Mujhse naraaz hai wo..

" Nahi.." he heard a mere whisper coming from the entrance and Manik snapped his head at it..

Manik ( whispered ): Nandini..

Slowly, Nandini showed her face while standing at the entrance with her eyes down..Raj walked with baby steps and took her hand and pulled inside..

Raj: Mujhse naraaz nahi hai tho bath kyu nahi kar sakthi..?

Nandini ( softly ): Aap mujhse naraaz nahi hai kya...?

Raj: Kyu..? Naraaz hona tha..?

Nandini ( nodded ): Mene aapse mere aur Manik ke rishthe ke barein mein kuch nahi bathaya..I am sorry..

Raj ( cupped her cheeks ): Haa, wo tho galathi hi hai par meri bachi ho tum isiliye mein tujhe pehchan saktha hoon. Teri Mumma jo hai wo aiveyi meri behen nahi bani thi, I saw the purity of her heart. She was the only one who could read my eyes but then when she gave birth to you, I saw a little Chhavi in you and I knew you're going to understand me just like how she did. So, I know whatever you did is because you have her alive in your heart. Chhavi Virendhar Dixit would have done the same thing which you did so I just know I don't need to stay angry at you..

Nandini crashed in his arms and sobbed hard while he caressed her hairs..

Nandini: I love you Pops..

Raj ( smiled amidst tears ): And Pops loves you the most..

Others smiled at the duo and Manik had tears in his eyes after seeing such a pure bonding.

Akash: Kya mathlab, even we love her the most..Kyu princess..

She smiled and bobbed her head cutely and moved to his arms and soon all the men hugged her..Viren watched it with a smile. He shifted his gaze from them to Manik who was also admiring Nandini. Feeling someone's gaze, Manik turned to the source only to see Viren staring at him with an expressionless face. He immediately looked down. Viren moved to Manik and stood in front of him with his hands in his pant's pockets..

Viren: Kuch bolna hai..??

Manik nodded in No with still his eyes on the ground..

Viren ( looked at the floor ): Kuch hai kya waha..?

Manik got confused and looked above to see Viren looking or examining the ground..

Manik: Ji...??

Viren ( looked at Manik ): Kuch hai kya waha..ground pe..Tum ithni der se usko ghoor rahe the tho mene socha there would be something interesting on the floor..

Manik bit his lips and just gave a small low smile and nodded in No..

Viren: Ab Manik Malhotra baath karna bhi bandh kiya hai kya..

Manik ( whispered ): Nahi...

Viren: Tumhare aawaz ko kya hua..? Dho theen ghante pehle tho teek tha..

Manik ( cleared his throat ): Kuch bhi tho nahi hua..

Viren ( nodded ): Now its better. Wise, mein pooch raha tha, tumhe kuch bolna hai kya..

Manik: Nahi..kuch nahi..

Viren ( raised his eyebrow ): Kuch bhi tho nahi...??

Manik wanted to apologize but he couldn't get words. Viren's tone was a bit sharp and he has never heard him speaking like that. He was always a jolly person and with Manik he was more than sweet so he ( Manik ) couldn't gather words to form a sentence..

Viren ( casually ): Ab agar tumhe kuch bolna nahi hai tho mein bhi jaoon. Kya faida yaha ruk ke..

Viren shrugged his shoulders and turned to move when Manik's voice halted him in his tracks..

Manik ( looked down again ): I am sorry...

Viren smiled and turned to look at Manik with a stern face..While, Nandini was well aware of her father's intentions and she could only hide her smile..

Viren: Did you say something..?

Manik looked above and stared in Viren's eyes..

Manik: I am sorry, Viren Uncle..I am sorry for everything. Whatever I did with your daughter isn't something forgivable but please don't hate me. Nandini se hi patha chala ki yaha mere family mein mere importance kya hai. Aapke life mein mere importance kya hai aur mein nahi chahtha ki aap mujhse naraaz rahe. Will you forgive me..?

Viren was genuinely happy with Manik's little confession..Raj was just staring at the duo with a smile. He knew what his buddy is up to and so the other men..

Viren: Forgiveness..?? Hmm..I can but...on one condition..

Manik ( immediately ): Anything..anything you'll say..

Viren ( smiled ): Call me what you used to call me...

Manik ( confused ): Wh..what..??

Viren ( smiled): Raj..kya tumne kabhi bathaya nahi isse ki ye mujhe iske 4 saal hone thak kya bula rahe the..

Raj ( chuckled ): Mein kyu bolun...isse yaad karna chahiye na..

Lalith: Abey wo bacha tha..wo bhi 4 saal ke tho kaise yaada karega..

Raj: Mujhe kya patha..

Manik ( puzzled ): What are you talking about, Dad..?

Raj ( smiled ): You never called Viren Uncle..

Manik ( confused ): Phir...?

Raj ( grinned ): You used to call him Vien Dadda..

Manik widened his eyes in shock while Viren had a beautiful smile on his lips remembering it..

Akash: Exactly, jis dhin tum pehle baar Raj ko Dad bulaya ussee dhin, the next moment you said Vien Dadda while looking at Viren..

Ravi: And the best part was, you were just 1 year old and you spoke nothing except these 2 words..oh sorry 3 words..

Viren and Raj chuckled..

Viren ( laughed ): Ab ye bula bhi nahi paoge..it was so childish aur ye tho coconut tree thak bada hua hai ab..

Manik ( smiled amidst tears ): You mean, you won't like me calling it..Vien Dadda...

Viren's breathe hitched after hearing Manik. Nandini was just looking at Manik with tears of happiness. She knew he would call like that , no matter what because she came to know how much Viren matters to Manik, now..

Viren ( shook his head ): Of course, I would like it..Now, what are you waiting for..

Viren opened his arms wide and Manik hugged him tightly..Seeing them, it was a bliss for the whole family. Finally, their wish got granted..The duo broke the hug and Viren ruffled Manik's hairs..

Viren: You took too long to say it out..

Aryamann jumped in the conversation from nowhere..

Arya: You shouldn't expect more from a man who took 7 years to propose his girl..

And the living room was filled with laughter..

Viren ( smiled ): Stay happy and han Raj, now don't forget me, beta aaya tho iska mathlab ye nahi ki tum mujhe bhool sakthe hai..

Raj ( dramatically ): Tu tho mera yaar hai, kaise bhool saktha hoon tujhe..

Viren showed his dangerous eyes..

Manik ( confused ): Aapko kaise patha chala Dad aur mere beech sab kuch sort out kiya..

Viren ( smiled ): Raj ne hi kaha tha..

Manik: But, Dad was with me till the moment we reached here, in the Mansion..

Raj ( smiled ): Of course, I was with you. Viren mujhe message karke poocha tha mere barein mein and I told him everything..

Lalith ( smiled): Only Viren knows how crazy Raj goes when he gets angry. So, Viren always keeps a check on him..

Manik smiled in understanding..

Akash: Chalo, ab jaldhi hi andhar chalo..mujhe bohath bhook lagi hai..

Poorvi: Aur kuch aatha hi nahi aapko..

Akash glared at her which she ignored..

Nandini: Haa tho chalo na..sabko bhook lagi hai..Where is Al..??

Akshara: Arey princess, uski zaroorath kya hai, hum hai na..chalo khana ready karthe hai..

The elders moved ahead when Manik took hold of someone's hand..

Manik: Chachi..

Shanno ( expressionless ): Mein kisiki chachi nahi hoon..

Manik ( bit his lips ): Oh..Maami..thoda time lagega adjust hone mein..

Shanno ( nodded ): Tumhe kuch chahiye kya..

Manik ( rubbed his nape ): Aap...aap mujhse abhi bhi naraaz hai..

Shanno ( sternly ): Nandu shayadh tumhari girlfriend hogi par mujhse kuch math expect karna..

She walked away while hiding her smile, though she felt hurt to speak like that with him, she didn't show it out. She wanted to patch up with him in her own style..

Manik stood hurt and soon she felt his fingers entwining with someone's making him smile..

Manik: She won't forgive me, Nandu..

Nandini made him face her and cupped his cheeks..

Nandini ( softly ): Who is she to you...?

Manik ( frowned ): What kind of a question is this Nandini..?

Nandini: Pehle jawab dho..

Manik ( sighed ): I used to call her Chachi but I found a mother in her..

Nandini ( smiled ): And she found a son in you. A mother and her son can never stay away from each other for a longer period of time..

Manik ( sadly ): But, it's been 7 years..

Nandini: So..Its been 7 years since our breakup but still we got together, right. Give it some time..She will come around..Waise bhi, she is a package of surprise so expect the unexpected..

She gave a hint to him because she couldn't see him sad..He simply kissed her forehead..

Manik: I love you..

She stood on his feet and snaked her arms around his neck while he held her waist and they kept their foreheads on the other's..

Nandini: I love you too, Mani..my Monster Mani..

He laughed and she got succeed in it, seeing his smile which actually became a mission for her. No matter what, how big his family could go, but only she could be that person who can make him smile harder..

To be continued..