At morning
In Malhotra Mansion

Raj woke up early today and when he came out of his room he saw his son's have pulled the whole house on their head.

"Uff there is not a single day when they don't fight with each other."

Seeing Raj standing there Arya called him and said,

"Dad, see Cabir is sitting on the washing machine and not letting me wash my clothes."

Cabir is a person who will keep quiet. He said,

"I have to go somewhere in the evening and I don't have any clean shirts. So let me wash my clothes in peace."

"Peace my foot. Dad, I have to wash my clothes today. Tomorrow is Manik's turn. He will kill me if he sees me using the washing machine on his day."

Raj looked at Abhi who was using another washing machine. But he knew about his plan and said,

"Dad, don't look at me. I have a meeting today and I don't have any time to waste."

"There are two washing machines and only five people. Still you are fighting like cats and dogs. Shame on you."

At that time they saw Dhruv entering the house with a bag. Raj asked,

"Oh hello, where are you coming from?"

"I gave some clothes to the laundry so went to get them."

"There are two washing machines in the house. Why don't you use it?"

"First of all there are many people standing in line to wash their clothes and secondly I believe in peace so you guys keep fighting. Bye."

Dhruv was trying to go from there as soon as possible but Cabir's long nose smelled something fishy and said,

"Wait a minute. Why am I getting a smell of new clothes? What's in your bag?"

Dhruv gulped in fear and said,

"No...nothing. Just washed clothes. You must be getting detergent's smell."

"No way. Don't underestimate my nose, okay?"

"Okay, I got a new jacket. Happy now?"

"Not yet. It's Valentine's day and you got a new jacket, what's the matter my boy?"

Raj hit on Cabir's head and said,

"He is my boy, not yours."

"Whatever, will you let him explain the whole matter or not?"

They all looked at Dhruv with curious eyes and he was getting nervous.

"Don't look at me like that. Fine, I am telling you everything. Actually I am talking to Aliya for a date and I have planned to propose to her today. But please don't say anything to Buddy until she says yes otherwise he will kill me."

Dhruv didn't realize that Manik was standing just behind him when he was saying all this. Manik came out of his room when he heard him. He was surely hurt because his brother was trying to hide about his relationship from him thinking that he would be against their relationship as Aliya's brother is his biggest enemy. Actually it's not his fault because Manik always wanted to protect his elder brother from Harshad and he also knows that Harshad will definitely have objections about their relationship. But when you don't talk it out openly it gets complicated and the same was happening with him. He never talks about his motives behind his actions nor do they all get it. They always see an angry and frustrated person, not that person who always tries to protect his family. Manik folded his hands around his chest and said,

"Do you think I don't keep any information about what my brothers do?"

Dhruv got scared and turned back immediately.

"Buddy, I...I didn't mean to hide this from you. But...."

"You are not the only person who is keeping secrets. In fact you all are keeping secrets but it's okay. I won't ask you. Go and have fun."

Manik went to the gym and they all felt guilty. He was right, they all have a secret and this is the first time they were hiding something from each other. Abhi said,

"Okay, there is no use beating around the bush. I think we should confess it before we get our secrets from someone else."

Raj could see the seriousness on their faces. So he said,

"Let's talk over breakfast. You guys freshen up and come to the dining room."

At dining room

They all were sitting there when Abhi said,

"Okay, I love someone. Actually we have been dating each other for a few days and I think she is perfect for me so I want to marry her."

Raj took this matter normally and said,

"Who is she? Do I know her?"

"She is the new model of our fashion house. Mukti Verdhan."

Manik immediately said,

"Are you talking about that girl whom you meet at the hospital?"

"Yes."

"No way. She can't be my sister in law."

Before they start fighting with each other Raj said,

"Now who's going to open his mouth?"

Arya raised his hand like a school boy and said,

"Actually there is a girl in my college."

Cabir immediately said,

"There are a lot of girls in your college."

"Will you shut your mouth and let me speak?"

"Okay, go ahead."

"She loves me and when I rejected her, she tried to commit suicide. But don't worry the situation is under control now and I don't think she will pull such stunts again."

Raj's mature eyes could see the restlessness in him and said,

"Do you love her?"

"No way."

"Do you hate her?"

"No."

"Then why did you reject her?"

"Because.... because......"

"Let me answer this question for you. You think that you are a burden to us. That's why you want to be independent financially as soon as possible and leave this house and she is coming between your ambitions, right?"

"It's not like that."

"A son can't be a burden on his father. I know I am not your biological father but trust me I love you all as much as I love Manik. You all are equal to me."

"I am sorry, dad."

"Don't run away from your feelings. You are a brilliant student and nothing can come between your career so don't be scared of your future and enjoy the phase of your life. Got it?"

"Yes dad.

Cabir knew that it was his turn so he said,

"She is a middle class traditional minded girl and I love her. Today I am taking her out for a date."

Manik immediately said,

"Great, now we will have another joker in the house."

"We will discuss that later. Now tell me, what's your secret?"

"I don't have any secrets."

"Manik, I am your father. I know you better than you know yourself and I also know that you were mentally disturbed about our divorce. You hate women just because your mom left us right? But son, why don't you think about her for once? It was her life and she wanted to live her life as she wished. It's not easy to look after five kids and she left us because she didn't want to take this responsibility. We can't force anyone."

"Dad, it's not that simple. For now let's just drop this topic here. I have an appointment with my therapist. So bye."

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That's it for today. It's a big update so I want lots of comments and of course don't forget to vote.
Take care
Bye
Nahar....😘😘😘