Sexena Masion @ 9.30 pm

Harshad come back after shower getting rid of the flour. When he come back the NavNi were setting the dining table.

Harshad : tum log itni jaldi khana bana diya kya. Waise kya bana ya hai.

Navya : noodles.

Harshad : (frowning) noodles kyun?

Nandini : woh kya hai na Harshad you only played holi with flour. (Harshad glared at her which she as usually ignored) So kuch aur bana nahi paya. So fridge main sirf yahi tha. So

Harshad : ohk ohk... Come lets eat dinner.

Navya : pehle Alia ko toh bulao.

Harshad : she must have already had dinner.

Nandini : pehle poocho toh sahi Harshad.

Harshad : ohk.

He was going to call Alia when she herself come there.

Harshad : acha hua tum aa gayi. Come lets have dinner.

Alia : i have already had my dinner.

Harshad looked at NavNi as if saying. I told you already.

Alia : but i don't mind some noodles too.

This time NavNi looked at Harshad with the same look while Harshad shrugged his shoulders and settled in his seat and girls too took their seat. Navya served everyone. Even though Alia said she will do it herself but Navya didn't paid any heed to it and served Alia.

They have a peaceful dinner with the nok-jok  and the continuing banter between Nandini and Hasrshad. Alia really liked their cpmpany. And which amazed her was the three of their bonding. They were openly fighting as if they knew each other from ages. She too felt that her brother is happy. She saw him laughing whole heartedly after ages. She is so happy to see him being his old self with them. That carefree boy. She really wanted to thank these to girls to bring her bhai back.

The dinner ended in a happy note.

NavNi's room @ 10. 15 pm

NavNi was all set to sleep when they heared a knock on their door. Nandini opened the door and saw Alia standing there fidgetting with her fingers, showing how much nervous she is.

Nandini : Alia tum is vakth

Alia : can i come in?

Nandini : yeah sure.

Nandini give side for Alia to enter. Alia entered and give Navya a nervous smile.

Navya looked at Nandini and raised her eyebrow. Nandini too shrugged her shoulder confusedly.

Navya : (clearing her throat) hmmm... Alia tumhe kuch kaam tha?

Alia : woh... I... Main.. Arrghhh

She stammered very badly not knowing how to start the conversation. While coming here she has really practised what to say and how to say. Ofcourse she needed that practise. It is not at all easy fr her. Because she is going to apologise to NavNi for whatever she did to them.

Navya : hmmm... Alia first you sit ohk. Then we will talk.

She said and pointed to the bed. Alia too sit there still fidgetting with her fingers. While NavNi stood near the bed looking at Alia.

Nandini : Alia tum theek toh ho na. Kya hua. Itne tension main kyun lag rahi hai.

Alia : woh.. I want... Want to tell you that... That..

Navya : Alia you don't need to be tensed to talk to us. Ohk. If you want to tell us something then go ahead.

She said assuring Alia with a smile on her lips. Alia looked at her and then at Nandini, while Nandini too give Alia an encouraging smile.

Alia : (taking a deep breadth) i am sorry.

She said closing her eyes. While NavNi were shocked and surprised. Did they heared it right? They seriously doubted it.

Alia opened her eyes when she didn't get any response. She looked at Nandini and Navya and saw them looking at her as if she is some alien.

Alia : hmmm... Guys aise mat dekho.

Navya : Alia aap hamse hi sorry bolne hi aaye the kya?

Alia : haa...

Nandini : par kyun Alia.

Alia : for everything i have done. For misbehaving with you guys in the begining. And for sending goons behind Nandini too.

Alia said not meeting their eyes, looking at her lap. While NavNi remembered Fab5's earlier behaviour. How they didn't leave any stone unturned to torchure them. They were glad that Alia said sorry to them. They never thought Alia will apologise to them, ever in their life.

Alia : i am really sorry. I know jo maine kiya uskelie ek thank you kafi nahi hai. But main... I was a total mess Nandini. Tab mere aur Manik ke beech problems chal rahi thi. I was trying to save a relationship which never existed. I was so angry ki Manik was giving you that importance which he never gave me. I have seen him admiring you from far. Which he never did. You know from childhood, i am losing my dear ones. First mamma papa, then bhai and then the thought Manik too is going away from me just killed me. Main sirf itna soch raha tha ki tumhe mere rasthe se hatana hai. And meri yeh pagal brain ne mujhe yeh goons ki idea diya. I am not reasoning my actions. But i just wanted to say sorry. Please forgive me.

NavNi looked at each other and walked to Alia. Who was still lokking at her lap. Navya came and sat infront of Alia while Nandini stood on her left side.

Nandini put her hand on Alia's shoulder while Navya holded Alia's hands. Feeling it Alia looked up at them and a tear rokled down from her eyes. Nendini smiled at her and wiped her tears and nodded her head in a no, saying not to cry.

Nandini : Alia, tumhe sorry bolne ki koi zaroorath nahi hai. Ham toh woh batein tabhi bhool gaya tha.

Alia : aise nahi hai Nandini. Its really important. I can't even think about living through it.

Navya : Alia ham aisa nahi bol raha hai ki hame dukh nahi hua tha. Haa we used to feel so angry, so hurt. But yeh sab batein dil main rakh ke koi faida nahi hai. We believe in moving on. Thats why.

She said squeesing Alia's hand softly ensuring her everything is ohk.

Alia : so you guys forgive me.

She asked with a hope glittering in her eyes.

Nandini : wahi toh itne der se ham bata rahe the.

Alia : (smiling) mujhe tum logon se thank you bhi kehna hai.

Nandini : Aur woh kyun?

Alia : first, only because of you mujhe meri best friend Manik mil gaya Nandini.

Nandini : aisa nahi hai Alia. Maine kuch nahi kiya tha.

She said without meeting Alia's eyes. She was confused how Alia got to know about how she coaxed Manik to talk to Alia.

Alia : Nandini mujhe pata hai ki you are the one who told him to talk to me. And if you are denying it because you thought i will feel bad them don't. Because i know something wonderful is there between you guys. After all i am the first person who saw that spark between you guys. Isiliye hi toh main woh sab kar baita.

She said with naughty smile making Nandini blush with shy and also with embarressment of being caught.

Nandini : you are right main usse baath kiya tha, par, mujhe kuch nahi karna pada. Because, He was always your bestfriend.

Alia : you are right Nandini, but in between that love drama we losted that pure friendship some where. But ab aisa nahi hai. We are back to that bestfriends zone. All thanks to you.

Nandini just smiled at her.

Alia : and secondly, thanks for being with bhai.

NavNi looked at Alia shokingly. Did she get to know about their little secret?

Alia : its been years maine bhai ko aise haste dekh ke. Uske life main kuch aisa hua tha ki he even forget to smile, he forget himself. He was always in a shell. Without mingling with anyone. But with you guys he is entirely different. I have seen him laughing and enjoying his life with you guys. Jo main kabhi nahi kar paya woh tum log kar dikhaya. Thank you so much.

Navya : uska bhi koi zaroorath nahi hai. He is our friend. And Dost kelie kuch bhi

Navya said in her dramatic style. Alia smiled at them which they gladly returned. After a brief silence Alia asked.

Alia : so can we be friends?

And once again it was a surprise for NavNi. Alia asked for their friendship?

Nandini : are you sure?

Alia : haa. 100% sure. So batao will you guys be my friends.

Navya : hamein koi etras nahi hai. Kyin Nandu?

Nandini : bilkul. We love to be friends with you Alia.

Alia : (exciredly) really?

Nandini : haa really.

Alia stand immediately and pull Navya too with her and hugged the duo. While NavNi too reciprocated the hug with a small laugh.

Alia : aaj ka day was the best. I got two friends. So i will tell you guys being my friends to Fab5 after musicana. Kyun ki me and Manik haven't told about our break up to them till now. Tum logon ko koi problem toh nahi na.

Navya : koi problem nahi. Take your time.

Alia : ohk then. Now i will go. We need rest. Tomorrow Musicana is going to start. Its a big day for all of us.

Nandini : you are right. We need to rest.

Alia : so good night guys.

NavNi : good night Alia.

Alia left from there with a smiling after sharing one more hug with NavNi.

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Malhotra Mansion @ 11.00 pm

Manik's room

Manik was all set to sleep when his dad barg in to his room.

Raj : Manik, what are you doing?

Manik : i think it is time for sleep. So wahi karne jaa raha hoon.

He said mokingly to which Raj just shrugged his shouldee and settled in the bed.

Manik's room

Raj : you are so unromantic Manik.

Manik : what unromantic aur main.

Raj : aur nahi toh kya? You have date to plan. And here you are all set to sleep. Idiot. I feel pitty on Nandini woh innocent si bachi aisa kya pap kiya ki tumhe usse pyaar hua.

Manik : escuse me, for your kind information my date is after 2 days. So i have plenty of time to plan. And i am not unromantic, college ki saari ladkiyan marthe hai mujhpe.

Raj : (sarcastically) what college hi saari girls marthe hai mujhpe, they are just behind your looks and money and jahan tak mujhe pata hai Nandini is not a girl who run behind these two things. She is not gonna fall for your charms.

Manik : (sitting infron of Raj) woh bhi yahi kaha tha.

Raj : kya kaha tha?

Manik : yahi ki she will not fall for my charms.

Raj : wahh mere honewale bahu toh bahut intelligent hai. I am so proud of her.

Hearing hone wale bahu from Raj that too for Nandini our Manik baba slightly blush, which not so common to him. So not to show his father who are always ready to tease the hell out of him, he suddenly come up with a fake angry plan

Manik : ohhh kya hone wale bahu and all. woh aaye nahi aap toh abhi hi team badal gaya. I didn't expect it from you.

But his oh_so_good plan failed in front of his dad.

Raj : ohh Manik, don't pretent as if you don't like me calling her honewale bahu. And it is written on his face very well. Your flushed cheek is so prominent you know.

Manik looked here and there embarrassingly.

Raj : hey Manik you don't need to be embarressed i know you are all lattu on her charms. Hai ki nahi.

Manik : haa toh. She too loves me ohk.

Raj : did she tell you that. Nahi na then how are you so sure about she loves you too

Manik : haa woh kabhi bataya nahi ki she loves me. But the thing is we doesn't need words to know what our dear once think. You know dad, her eyes na, it tells her every thoughts running her mind. Her yes are so expressive dad. Pehle pehle mujhe dar tha us aankhon main dekhne kelie. They were so innocent and pure. But the same eyes attract me like a magnet to her. Whenever she is so happy na her eyes twinkle like stars and that very same look gives me some kind of happiness which i couldn't priscribe through words at all. And the care and affection those magnificant eyes gives me is something i can die for. She always managed to look through my soul. She is the only one who understand the facade of mine being all tough and dangerous. She made me realise my mistakes while supported me when i am right. Dad aapko pata hai kitna protected feel kartha hun main uske saath. It is strange na dad. Usually girls feel protected with their boyfriend and husbands right but mujhe toh woh ulta hi feel ho raha hai. Jab bhi main uske saath hun i am free from every tension. Mujhe andhere se bhi dar nahi lagatha dad jab bhi woh mere saath hai. Because her eyes will spark with much needed light for me.I feel like koi harm mujhe chu bhi nahi paogi kyun ki Nandini hai yahan she will take care of me. Fab4 kelie i am their protector. But ab toh mera pura strength woh hai.

Manik said everything with a distant look on his face. He stood up and walked the window and looked at the stars which gives him peace in these years. While Raj's constant gaze followed Manik every move as if he is ensuring himself that his son has finally grown up. Now he know about life. He value the feeling of being in love so much. Sayad more than him.

Manik : She Is My Protector, She Is My Strength And She Is My Star.

Manik said these with his eyes glistering with happiness. The mere thought of someone is out there who accept him as hinself. Who will be there with him, beside him. He doesn't need to show himself as all tough infront of someone.

Raj walked upto his son and made him look at him.

Raj : tumhe pata hai Manik aaj main bahut khush hun. Kyun ki ab mujhe meri bete ke baare main koi tension nahi hai. I know there is someone who love him more than anything. As a father i was always worried about you. Mostly about your anger. I know Sometimes you cannot control your anger. And sometimes you harm yourself to control it. Your impolsiveness too is something i was always afraid of. And the thought that your broken childhood is the reason behind these, and i too am part of your broken childhood always made me guilty.

Manik : nahi dad in sab main aapke koi galthi nahi hai.

Raj : hai Manik, jab tumhe mere zaroorat thi tab main tumhare saath nahi the. Tumhare dad hine ke naate it was my responsibility to give you a bright chikdhood. But i failed in it miserabily.

Manik : dad aap.

Raj : nahi Manik, let me talk. Main apni dukh main bhool gaya tha ki in sab se mujh se zyada tum effected ho. I forgot ki tum sirf 12 saal ki bacha ho. You are not aware of this cruel world. Phir bhi i left you here and went to Pune. All these years i only thought about my self. I am sorry beta. I am really sorry.

Both father and son was crying thinking about those misarable days.
Manik don't know how to react to it. He was just looking at his father, his superman who is saying sorry for ruining his childhood. Should he accuse hus dad for not thinking about him, for keeping him away from him or should thank him because it was only because of his dad's love he was living till now.

Manik just hugged his father.

Manik : please dad, sorry mat bolo. Please.

Raj : beta, you are my most prised possession. Please yeh dad ko hate mat karo.

Manik : kya dad, main kaise aapko hate karun? You are my superman.

Raj : Manik maine ek descision kiya hai.

Manik : kya dad?

Raj : here after i am going to work from here. I mean i am not going back to pune. I am thinking of making Mumbai as our main branch.

Manik : matlab?

Raj : matlab yeh hai ki ab se main hamesha tere saath yahi, is ghar main rahne wale hai. Ab no more living seperately from my beta.

Manik : (smiling excitedly) really dad?

Raj : really.

Manik : (excitedly hugging his dad) thank you so much dad. I am so happy. So so sooooo happy.

Raj : (breaking the hug) bas tum happy hai thats what i want.

Manik gave him his thousand watt smile. Aur kya chahiye ek dad ko.

Raj : theek hai tum ab so jao, tumhare date ki plan ham kal karthe hai. Theek hai. So jao.

Manik nodded his head still that smile intact on his face. Raj patted his cheek and went out from the room.

Raj was very contented today. Today he was able to bring a smile on his son face. He got a hope that everything will be alright. He only could thank Nandini, the girl who is changed his son for good. Who made him understand what his son need. He is so anxious. What is he didn't hear their talk in this morning. He wouldn't have known what his son wants. And the way she handled Manik in his vulnerable state. How she make Manik understand even his point of view too. And atlast how she consoled Nyonika. And that very thought made him restless. What was the reason they were talking about. Who was behind everything. He was determined to found it. He called someone and asked something. Now he is waiting for tomorrow. 

Inside the room Manik was all excited. He is feeling as if he is in cloud nine. He immediately take his phone and dialled a number. The very first person with whom he want to share this happiness.

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So i am ending the chapter here guys.

Harshad & NavNi.

Navya, Nandini & Alia's new friendship.

Manik's thought about Nandini

Manik & Raj bond

First of all sorry guys for not updating regularly. My internals are going on thats why couldn't update it.

And it is 40th part if the story, thanks for all those who supported me in my journey. and special thanks to

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Thank you so sooo much guys for your comments. Jab bhi yeh list bada hota hai na. The satisfaction it gives. I can't describe it in words.... Thank you guys. It means a lottttt....

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Bye for now guyssss..