Heya guys...

Before starting the story i wanted to thank _khusiyaan_ di and gazzuu didi to helping me.

_khusiyaan_ di helped me in selecting me outfits while gazzuu di helped me in selecting the place.

Thank you so much meri pyai deedi's love you so much guys... Thanks for your undying support.

Love you lotts.....

Now back to the story

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Malshej ghat @ 2.00 A.M

(It will take almost 4 hours to reach malshej ghat from Mumbai. But i am cutting it down to 2 hour. And yeah it is banned to go there till this month end, but i am taking them there because it is one of the some places where there is clear sky.)

When Nandini came out of the car, she was amazed to see the view in front of her. The place was picture perfect. The stars twinkling in the clear sky, the city too twinkling far away from them, without any hustle bustle of city, the only sound around them was crickets chirping, the cool breeze flowing around them.

Its been 2 hours they started their journey. But even after Nandini's threat, cute faces and pout Manik didn't reveal where they are going.

And finally after the wait of 2 hours they are here.

Nandini : Manik, tum mujhe yahan kyun le aaya?

Manik : kyun ki i myself wanted to show this place to you.

Nandini : what is special in this place?

Manik : kyun? tumhe pasanth nahi aaya hai kya yeh jagah?

Nandini : aise maine kab kaha? I really liked the place Manik. This place is really beautiful. away from city, without any interruptions from city, so peaceful. Just the way i like it. But i am really curious to know why my monster want to take me here all of a sudden.

she said with a smile on her face looking curiously at Manik. Manik smiled seeing her curious cat face, he came to her side and picked her from waist and made her sit on the car bonnet earning a squeal from her.

Nandini : what was that?

she asked after recovering from the initial shock.

Manik : what? i was just helping you to sit here.

he said nonchalantly while sitting beside her on her right side with his left hand around her shoulders holding her protectively.

Nandini : really, thank you so much Mr.Malhotra, it was so kind of you.

she said in utter sarcasm making faces making hm smile more. After a tiring day sitting beside her and talking to her is really a relieve for sure.

Nandini : ab hasna band karo and answer my question.

Manik : it is my secret hide out Nandini, when i need to go away from my problem, i used to come here and spent my time, until the storm in me calms.

he said with utmost honesty and some unsaid pain in his voice while gazing at the stars. Nandini didn't said anything, she just wound her arms around his waist and placed her head on his shoulders. its her silent support he know it clearly. and it only enlighten the beautiful smile on his lips which was constantly there from the time they started their LONG DRIVE.

Manik : you know these stars they are my secret keepers. They know everything about me. my every damn secrets and they always kept them as secret only. but they will only come in night right, so once i even wished a shooting star to give me a star for myself, who will be with me, beside me even in day time.

he said with a child like innocence in his voice. Nandini could only admire this innocent monster of hers. if anyone come to know this side of him then surely they gonna faint. even she too would have fainted if she heard him almost three months before.

Manik : but i think they have finally granted my wish by sending you to me.

he said looking into her eyes who was looking at him with astonish filled eyes.

Manik : My Own Personalized Star...

Nandini : what are you saying Manik?

she asked him with surprise clear in her voice.

Manik : that you are my star, who always shined for me. do you remember , i have once said about my hating towards darkness.

she nodded her head in a yes. of course she remember it. how could she forget that night when they talked like civilized person for the first time , she saw the real Manik, in facade of Manik Malhotra for the first time. that day changed lot of things in their life. Starting with Nandini trying to understand Manik, to now, when they feel peace in each others arms.

Manik : par ab mujhe andhere se dar nahi lagtha kyun ki tum mere saath ho. you are my peace Nandini, alaways remember that. and haa you can't even back out now. because you yourself promised me to become my shining star yaad hai?

he said with a teasing smile. Nandini just turned her face to her left side shutting her eyes tightly, totally embarrassed. of course she clearly remembered that night, all her pagalpan. how she made him run after her in whole collage, how she took her revenge from him by throwing the lemon juice which he prepared after a lot of effort, probably for the first time. not probably first time, she is sure after seeing him struggling to cut a lemon that day, and how could she forget their almost KISS. but that is the incident which created immense respect for him in her heart. he has every chance to took her advantage right. she was drunk, wasn't in her senses, they were alone, there wasn't even a single human being there, but what did he did? he himself stopped her advances. he even dropped her home safely, itna ki he made her lie on the bed making sure she was comfortable. otherwise he was sure that her all image in front of her family will be shattered. and of course the promise she made, was that jealousy she felt when he admired the stars still being with her or the hatred she always she felt for stars for snatching her parents. she don't know. may be, may be not. but whatever it is she has promised him. she clearly remembers it.

Manik : hmmm lagtha hai tumhe yaad aagaya.

he said with a teasing tone.

Nandini : Manik, please don't tease me na...

she said whining.

Manik : theek hai... mein kuch nahi bata rahi. par let me tell you that was a beautiful day for me. i started my day seeing you, yaad hai, meine ghar aaya tha tumhara, even we had our first hug that day, i felt peaceful in your arms after years. and your care for me, it really touched my heart, your all small gesture was melting my heart. you know after talking you in the collage it was like i got a new energy for facing every problems. and how can i forget our dance, i never enjoyed dancing like that. it was magical. and after all these i spent almost 2 hours with you alone. you made me dance on your little finger. i never act patiently with anyone like that, and it was you after all. who dared to order me, back answer me always. tumhe kabhi dar nahi lage the mujhse?

Nandini : lagi thi, in the starting. you were really monster then. but then the day we got locked in the store room na, tab se sab kuch badal gayi. that day i saw a glimpse of THIS Manik that day. uske baad tumse kabhi dar nahi laga mujhe balki, i was astonished how efficiently you hide this Manik in you, as if he never existed at all.

Manik : it was for protecting my self from this cruel world Nandini.

he said as if making her understand that he never wanted that.

Nandini : i know Manik. i know how this world takes advantage of our vulnerable situation.

she said understanding him.

Nandini : par ab yeh bata ki why are you saying all this to me all of a sudden? Manik dekh there is no pressure on you. you don't need to open up if you are not comfortable. you know that right?

Manik : of course, i know, but i my self wanted to tell you all this. that is why i asked you out that day. tu ne haa bhi kaha tha. forgot it?

yeah he has asked her out days back, she too was excited for it but in between all the revelations she forgot about it. and it didn't take a minute for her to drawn in the pool of guilt.

seeing her changing expression Manik got to where her thought were going.

Manik : ohooo Nandini, now don't push your thoughts into the guilt section, i know we were worried about our current situation. and mein bhi bhool gaya tha, till i got a call from the restaurant about the confirmation of reservation this noon.

Nandini : phir bhi, tum ne pehli baar mujhse kuch maanga and i even forget that.

she said not being able to contain the regret of forgetting about their date.

Manik : Nandini don't be sad now, we will do on a date some other time. waise bhi sab kuch hone ke baad mein bhi ek fancy date kelie ready nahi tha. i just needed you by my side, like this.

he said showing her cocooned form in his arms finally making her smile. every girl need only this affirmation from their soulmate right (vise versa too)

but her smile once again turned into a frown when she remember why she went to talk to him in the night.

Manik too noticed this but he wasn't able to comprehend the problem.

Nandini : Manik....

she called him in a feeble voice making him alert. something wasn't right. he was sure.

Manik : kya hua Nandini? koi problem hai kya?

Nandini : woh i wanted to ask you something.

Manik : what?

he asked totally confused.

Nandini : aren't you angry with me?

Manik : why?

Nandini : woh i hide about the biggest secret of your life, i hide my identity.

she asked with a fear clouding in her heart. even she saw the smile dimming in his face after her question. she was almost sure that he is angry at her.

Nandini : dekh Manik, i never intended to hide you this, but we were afraid. They were always behind you guys. and agar ham tumhe kuch bata diya hota toh pata nahi woh log kya karke baitha hoga. just Harshad telling him that he is going to tell you everything, made him kidnap you guys. that is why we hide it Manik. and even Nyo ma, it wasn't good for her too. they were blackmailing her already making you as their pawn. tum samajh rahi ho na Manik mein kya kehna chahta hoon?

Manik heard her calmly. he knew it has to be out of her system, otherwise it will kill her internally. after she finished her POV, he sat facing her and held her hands in his.

Manik : Nandini, i won't say ki i wasn't hurt. i was hurt, but then i remembered all the hint you gave me about Harshad being a good friend. it was me who always avoided that topic. and about hiding your identity, i know you have your own reasons, and i am ready to wait for the day when you, yourself will come and tell me the reason.

he said with utmost honesty, that she couldn't hold beck herself from hugging him tightly. he too hugged her tightly showing her his support.

Nandini : i will Manik, i will tell you everything my self soon. just give me some time.

Manik : sure Nandini.

he said breaking the hug. and they get back to the positions they were before gazing the stars.

Manik : (after a brief silence) waise mein toh apni stars ke baare mein share kiya, but you didn't say anything about your fireflies. matlab meine dekha bhi tha ek jaar of fireflies in your room that day.

he asked with curiosity clear in his voice.

Nandini : woh, amma kehti thi ki...

she paused it for a second making him more curious.

Nandini : ki FIREFLIES WILL GLOW WHERE THERE IS TRUE LOVE.

she said with a shy smile on her face.

Manik : (surprised) what? seriously? tum ispe vishwas karte ho?

Nandini : haa... i have experience.

Manik : what!!! experience... kaise?

he asked with a tinge of anger and jealousy lased in his words. Nandini too sensed it . she shake her head with a chuckle. the ever so matured Manik Malhotra she saw till just a while back was no where to be seen.

Nandini : i have seen them glowing when my friends confessed their love, back in Bangalore.

Manik : ohh...

he sighed in relief.

Nandini : kya hua Manik? wait, did you thought that i my self experienced it?

she asked him teasingly while Manik could only curse himself for bring caught.

Nandini : you were jealous right?

Manik : jeslous me? why? why will i be jealous.

he said trying to hide his embarrassment.

Nandini : ohh yeah right, it wasn't like you have some feeling for me

she said nonchalantly.

Manik : kyun, do you have some feelings for me?

he asked with the same expression on his face.

Nandini : sach boloon ya jhoot?

she asked raising her eyebrows.

Manik : sach hi boldo.

he said with hope twinkling in his eyes seeing which Nandini's heart too fluttered with happiness.

Nandini : there is something.

she said looking straightly at his eyes.

Manik : matlab?

Nandini : kuch kuch.

Manik : what?

Nandini : meaning of something, kuch kuch.

Manik : Nandini....

he dragged her name whining like a child.

Nandini : it is already 3.30, ghar nahi jaana, aaj bahot kaam hai.

she said hiding her smile and came down from the bonnet. Manik too come down after leaving a sigh. she is not gonna open her mouth about that topic. for now. she is stubborn.

Manik : yeah lets go. waise bhi you are not going to say anything. mujhe Malhotra Mansion bhi jaana hai.

Nandini : Malhotra Mansion kyun? Manik, wahan pe media hoga, and...

Manik : hey.... relax, koi problem nahi hoga. main jaldi wapas aa jaenge.

Nandini : par kyun Manik? don't think that i am restraining you. it is just that i am worried.

Manik : (cupping her face) i know Nandini. it is that ki i need to take guitar from home.

Nandini : agar guitar chaahiye toh Abhi ka paas hai.

Manik : this is a special one Nandini. Harshad gifted me that. kal ham ne ek surprise plan kiya hai uske lie. so i need it.

Nandini : theek hai, par jaldi aana. theek hai. koi problem hai toh jaldi hi call karna , theek hai.

she said as if making understand a 5 year old.

Manik : ohk. ab chale?

he said smiling at her care.

Nandini : haa.

she smiled and the duo hoped into the car started their journey to Mannat Mansion.

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Mannat Mansion @ 7.30 A.M

Every one was ready for the raksha bandhan. Youngsters and Senior Malhotra's were sitting in the living room.

Girls were busy in preparing pooja ki tali. the boys were really tensed thinking about the whole situation. and the occasional smirk they got from the morning didn't do any good to them. they have planned something big for the day.

after 5 minutes M6 girls entered with the pooja thali, making Manik,Cabir, and Maddy's breath to stop.

Nandini's outfit

Kaira's outfit

Navya's outfit

Soha's outfit

Mukthi's outfit

Alia's outfit

Amaira's outfit

Manik's outfit

Cabir's outfit

Dhruv's outfit

Maddy's outfit

Abhimanyu's outfit

Aryaman's outfit

Zubin's outfit

Harshad's outfit.

Aryaman : arey mere behnon bahot khoobsoorat lag rahi hai.

he commented making the boys come out of the la la land. the boys looked here and there feeling awkward. thanks to almighty that no one noticed their dazed look.

Abhimanyu : come start karthe hai na jald.

soha : haa but let Alia and Mukthi come.

Nyonika : woh log kahan hai.

Navya : abhi ajaegi. they were getting ready.

Nandini : Abhi, Rishu ab tak kyun nahi aaya?

Abhimanyu : woh, their flight is late. they are coming in flight @ 10 AM. mujhe kal phone karke bataya tha, meine batana bhool gayi. par koi nahi, they will come before lunch.

she nodded her head in understanding even though she is sad.

after 2 minutes Mukthi and Alia came there.

Cabir : Manik, mujhe lagtha hai mujhe jaldi hi hospital jaana padega.

he said looking behind, from where the girls are coming making everyone confused.

Manik : happy realisation Cabir, don't worry i will consult the best psychiatrist in India for you.

Cabir : mujhe aankh dikhana hai, dheemang nahi.

Manik : Cabir, pagalon ko eye doctor check nahi karti hai, uske lie psychiatrist hi chahiye.

Cabir : sorry, mujhe nahi pata tha, tumhare jaise experience nahi the na.

he said with so much of sarcasm leasing on it.

Dhruv : tum log ab jagad kyun raha hai?

Cabir : wahi toh, ham ab yeh sab kyun bata rahe the?

Manik : woh tumne kaha ki tumhe doctor ko consult karna chahiye.

Cabir : oh haa... woh kya hai na tum log peeche dekh muhe na woh black and white wali Mukthi lag rahi hai.

this made all the boys turn and saw their respective partners looking so beautiful.

Manik : woh Mukthi hi hai you idiot.

Cabir : par yeh kaise ho sakte hai? she never wears these dresses.

Dhruv : peeche dekh Alia too is wearing the same.

Cabir : ohh yeah, but why this change.

Mukthi : just for a change Cabir.

Cabir : aisa change hua toh hamein jald hi heart attack aa jaega yaar.

he said dramatically making everyone smile.

Nandini : ohk then lets get started.

she said excitedly making everyone smile.

first Kaira came and first did Arti of Zubin, then tie Rakhi on his hands, then made him eat sweets. she did the same with Abhimanyu and Aryaman too. she got her favourite gift too.

Alia : tum Maddy ko rakhi kyun nahi baand rahi?

she asked startling her.

Kaira : mein kabhi Maddy rakhi nahi tie kiya hai.

Maddy : i have already 4 sisters. i don't want to increase one more too.

he said jokingly but the desperation to clear his point was clear in his voice which M6 clearly caught. he passed a nervous smile to them making them smirk.

Next chance was of Navya she too tied Rakhi to Zubin, Maddy, Abhimanyu, and Aryaman. she too got her gifts.

Next was chance of Soha she too tie rakhi on the for of them. then came Nandini she too tied rakhi on their hand. Aryaman and Maddy gave her teddy and Dairy milk as per their promise. of course they didn't forget it. they don't want to get killed right.

and to everyone's surprise she tied rakhi on Cabir too.

Nandini : rakhi uski hand mein baanda jaata hai jo hamein protect kartha hai. ek din pehle tum meri jaan bachaya tha, so it is my right to tie this on your hands.

she said to Cabir after making him eat sweets to a surprise looking Cabir.

Cabir : but i don't bought any gift for you.

Nandini : you saved my life, use bada konsa gift de saktha hai koi?

she said giving a sweet smile to him.

Cabir : ohk, par ek hug toh kar saktha hai na.

he asked which she gladly accepted hugging him.while others admired the newly found brother and sister.

Next was Amaira who tied rakhi on Abhimanyu, Aryaman and Maddy. after this she came and stood beside Zubin who was busy in his phone. as the girls snatched his laptop, his phone is his only option left. even though Amaira was looking at them he was obvious to the fact making her lower her head with a sad face. seeing this Nandini and Soha decided to entervine.

Nandini came and stood between ZuMaira startling them with the ever sweet smile making them confuse, the next second Soha was beside Zubin with the same smile. which means DANGER.

Nandini : Zubi boy don't you think , Amaira too tie rakhi on you?

this question give Amaira a mild heart attack while Zubin couldn't digest the fact that Amaira being his sister.

Zubin : woh kaise she is my PA.

Soha : arey PA hua toh kya? she is a friend to us. she even tie Rakhi to them. (pointing at M6 Boys).

Zubin : because she is a sister to them.

Nandini : matlab she became your sister too right. Soha hand her a rakhi, let her tie rakhi on him.

she said with a smirk. and the same reflected in Soha's face too.

Zubin and Amaira looked at each other. he could see a fear and discomfort in her eyes, which he didn't like at all. and his eyes reflected the confusion he had. something is not right. he know that. and he too liked the thought making Amaira his sister. he felt WEIRD?

fortunately or unfortunately he got a call at the same moment he left from there giving it as an excuse, while Amaira sighed in relief.

while Nandini ang Soha smirked. aag toh donon taraf se hai, sayad he heven't realised it. koi baat nahi M6 hai na, they will make them realise it soon.

Next Alia came and tied Rakhi on Harshad hands. Harshad gave her a gift with a forehead kiss and a hug. they never failed to do this ritual every year but the warmth was missing always as he was in the pool of guilt and she was hurt with his behaviour. but this year they done it whole heartedly. without any barrior of guilt and hurt.

Next it was Mukthi who surprised them by taking tali and coming to Fab3. they looked at her perplexed. Mukthi did the arti to the trio and tied rakhi to them.

Mukthi : i know , you guys are surprised, even i myself was surprised. ham ne kabhi aisa kuch nahi kiya hai, par kal yeh log mujhe samjhaya, meaning of raksha bandhan so, i really wanted to do this. you guys always protected me, so this,

she said with a sheepish smile. Fab3 took her in a tight hug. they know how awkward she must be feeling now. she wasn't an emotional person. and she taking such step means very big to them. even Manik dragged Alia to the hug making it a Fab5 group hug.

Kaira : ohk ab yeh emotional drama band karo. it is time for some fun.

she said all excitedly and the girls face reflected an EVIL SMIRK.

.

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so i am ending the part here guys....

i hope aap logon ko MaNan part pasanth aaya hoga.

and thank you so much guys for your support. and special thanks to

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so bye for now guys.........