In ManPrIa Mansion

Gaining love won't be easy. Demanding or forcing someone to love would be easy because all you need to do is pressurise them physically or mentally but Manik Malhotra was famous for gaining love, because whatever he shows out is something to hate him to no extent while if one happen to read his heart then nobody could back off from loving him. Yes, he did a mistake or a sin, in fact his impulsiveness lead him only to mistakes but then something nobody understood was his heart never got love which he craved for and this made him into a insecure person. A possessive person who can't let go off something. He wouldn't have thought that Nandini would actually leave him fore ver when he pushed her off on that dreadful night. All he knew was he needed some lone time to get himself calm but before it could happen, she left him because what mattered to her was, her self respect, when you think from Nandini's perspective, then you're not wrong because, for a girl if something matter to the most, then it's her self respect except for kids. Some women will be ready to lose their self respect if it's for their kids..

And now, we can see the same thing happening after years and that is Manik Malhotra earning someone'es love and this time it was his kids..

It's been 2 months since Manik has started acting like a typical father who is even ready to lose his life if it's to become the most important person of his children's life..From waking up in between a bunch of sports' materials to having him beside them during their parents meet was like a dream come true for the kids..But still, they didn't budge or didn't show it out, side effects of being Manik Malhota's blood..

Standing in front of their lavish kitchen with widened eyes and jaws dropped down, there stood Manvik Malhotra and Prathik Malhotra..

Manvik ( still shocked+whispered ): What the heck just happened..?

Prathik ( stunned ): Is it really our kitchen..?

Each and every utensils were scattered on the ground and the duo who have done it were still standing unaffected doing something..

Manvik: I thought Mia's baking partner was Navya Masi..

Prathik ( nodded ): Yeah, I never thought it could be the great Manik Malhotra..

Oh yes, the father daughter were cooking, in fact if we use that word for whatever they are doing now, then it will be a disrespect to it..

Mia ( pouted ): Dad, that tin is too high. How am I going to grab it..

Manik ( pecked her cheeks ): Why am I for then..At your service Madam..

Mia giggled and Manvik and Prathik too had a smile on their lips..Manik grabbed the tin from the topmost shelf and kept it on the slab. He took the flour packet from it and opened it..

THRASH....

And the next moment Manik looked like a zombie..

Mia stared at her father in utter shock while the rest two looked at each other and busted out in laughter. This broke Mia's trance and Manik who was actually rubbing the flour off his face, turned to his left. Seeing his sons laughing like a maniac brought a smile on his lips..

Manik ( hid his smile ): What's so funny to laugh..?

Manvik ( still laughing ): God, you should look at yourself..

Prathik ( laughed out ): Were you planning to bake the cake by using your skin too..??

Manik ( sarcastically ): Of course. I thought you could like this new flavor..Manik Malhotra's skin..

Mia ( giggled ): Dad, we don't eat humans..

Manvik ( chuckled ): And FYI, we don't eat any other cakes except Red Velvet Cake..

Manik's head snapped at Manvik and then soon his grin grew wide..

Manik ( thought ): They are just like me..

" What the hell is happening here..?? " that voice was enough to scare the shit out of Malhotras..

ManPrIa: Mom....

Nandini was standing like a tigress after seeing her dear kitchen which now didn't even look like a place to sit, at least..

Manik ( nervously ): Uh Nandi..ni..I can explain..

Nandini: Really..Go a...

She turned to Manik with a sarcastic face but then got shocked after seeing him..And the next moment she too started laughing..

Nandini ( panting heavily ): You..you're also..messed up..like my kitchen..

Manik smiled at her and it was noticed by the boys..

Manik ( bad face ): Okay fine. That's enough. Pehle ye dho anmol rathn aur ab tum bhi hasna shuru kiya..it was an accident..

Nandini managed to stop her giggles..

Nandini ( composed herself ): What were you trying to do, actually..

Mia ( grinned ): Baking..

Nandini ( sarcastically ): Baby sahiba, kitchen ko murder karne ko hum baking nahi kehthe..

Mia ( baby face ): Sholly Mumma..aapko tho patha hai mein kithni innocent hoon..

Manvik: Tu aur innocence..ye kab hua..

Prathik: Arey you might have heard wrong, buddy. Mia Malhotra can be anything but innocent..

Mia ( whined ): Dad..dekho na..

Manik picked her in his arms and glared at Manvik and Prathik for which they made a bad face and looked at their Mom..

Nandini: Ab tum log bhi aise puppy faces math bano, mein kisike bhi sunne nahi wali..I want my kitchen clean withing half a hour..And you 4 will be cleaning up..

ManPr: What..

Manvik: Humne kya kiya Mom..

Prathik: Mom, we just came 10 minutes back after our match..

Nandini ( glared ): You were supposed to tell me that these two were making a hell out of my kitchen but you chose to enjoy it so now, it's your turn to get punished..Now, 4 of you, get in your boots and clean it up..

Saying it she moved away while Manvik and Prathik glared their father and sister in return they got only IGNORANCE..

Manvik: Uggghhhhh...Mia..sab kuch tumhare wajah se hai..

Mia: Oh hello, mene kuch nahi kiya, mein tho bas cake bana rahi thi par Dad ne sab kuch bigada..

Manik: Haw..ab tum sab kuch mujhpe daal rahe ho..Mene pehle hi kaha tha ki mein thode mistakes karoonga because I didn't know how to cook..

Prathik ( pointed the messy kitchen ): Thoda..? Isse aap thoda kehthe hai..

Manvik ( smiled sarcastically ): Agar isse thoda kehthe hai tho zyada ko kya bulayenge..

Mia ( scratched her chin ): Thode ki mumma, mumma sabse badi hai na..

Manvik and Prathik just palmed their faces while Manik chuckled..

Manik: Baby, pehle hume ye kitchen ko teek karna hai warna tumhari mumma chodegi nahi hume..

Soon, the 4 were busy in cleaning it up but it merely looked like that. They were fighting after every minute of silence and at last they landed up on the floor by slipping in the water. Manik fell on his back with Mia on his chest and Manvik and Prathik on his arms. At first, they glared at each other but then they started laughing..

Right after half an hour, Nandini walked towards the kitchen only to witness that adorable scene which literally brought tears in her eyes..She stood there leaning onto the wall while admiring her not-so-little family..She wiped her tears and maintained a stern face..

Nandini: Is it called cleaning up..?

The 4 stopped laughing immediately and stood straight with great difficulty..

Mia ( cutely ): Mumma..sab kuch clean hai..

Nandini melted with her cute pleading face and she sighed..

Nandini: All 4 of you out of my kitchen..

The kids just stormed out of it in a marathon speed while Manik was washing his face. It still had flour but now it got stuck on it..

Nandini started cleaning but still Manik was washing his face and irritation was clearly visible on his face..She sighed and moved towards him and made him turn towards her taking him in surprise..

Nandini ( sternly ): Stand still..

He just stood simply smiling at her while she was busy in cleaning his face carefully. She was careful enough not to make any contact with his eyes..

Manik ( softly ): Do you remember..?

Nandini ( coldly ): I do..I do remember this incident isn't new but it has happened before too, now be quiet..

Manik held her waist..

Nandini ( shocked ): Manik, what the hell are you doing..?

Manik: Shh..just..let me hold you..

He closed his eyes and kept his forehead on her shoulder. She too closed her eyes and held his shoulders..

Manik: It hurts..It really does..

Nandini ( hid her tears ): It doesn't hurt me anymore. I forgot to cry..

He looked at her face to see her looking at him with only pain in her eyes..He moved forward and kissed her forehead and a drop of tear fell off her eye. She pushed him off and got out of his grip and rushed outside while he thumped on the floor and let his tears fall out of his eyes..

Manik ( whispered ): I love you, Nandini..

Someone out there were watching it..

Person: They still love each other, Prathik..

Prathik ( nodded ): Does he deserve her, Manvik..

Manvik: I don't know but..I have heard Nanu saying that everyone deserves happiness and their happiness lie in being with each other..

Prathik: We need to talk to Mom..

Manvik nodded and made way to upstairs..

Manvik ( called out ): Mia..

Mia who was walking downstairs stopped in the middle..

Mia: Haa Bhayyu..

Prathik: He needs you..

They both walked to Nandini's room while Mia stood confused and thought for a while..

Mia: Did he mean Dad..??

She walked further and made her way to kitchen..

In Nandini's Bedroom

Nandini was sitting on the bed with a photo in her hand. She was busy in caressing it that she didn't know there were two souls sitting beside her either side and looking at the photo with a small smile on their lips..

" You still love him, don't you Mrs. Malhotra..? " said the person sitting on her right startling her..

Nandini ( surprised ): Manu..Prati..tum dono kab aaye..

Prathik ( smiled ): When you were busy in admiring this photo..

She tried to hide it but Manvik held her hand and kept the photo on her lap and Prathik took her hand and kept it on Manik's face..

Nandini: Prati, kya kar rahe ho..Manu hato..

Prathik: Do you love him, Mom..?

She avoided eye contact and tried to get up..

Manvik ( emotionless ): Mom..we want to know it, from your mouth..Do you love him, your husband, our father, Manik Malhotra..?

Nandini ( closed her eyes ): Does it matter..?

Prathik ( nodded ): It does..

She opened her eyes..

Nandini ( in tears ): I do..I do love my first love, my husband, father of my babies. I love Manik Malhotra..

The boys too had pain in their eyes..

Manvik ( cupped her cheeks ): Phir chupa kyu rahe ho..?

Nandini ( sternly ): Tho kya mein poori dunya se chillake bolun..?

Prathik ( held her hand ): Poori dunya ke samne chillane ke zaroorath nahi Mom, par hamare samne tho kam se kam open up kar sakthe hai na aap..Hum aapko kabhi judge kar sakthe hai kya Mom..?

She bit her lips to control her sobs..

Nandini ( softly ): I can't. I can't open up, when it comes to him..

Manvik ( turned her to him ): Why Mom..? Why..? Why can't you share the pain with us..? Why can't you say it out that you still love him..? Why..?

Nandini ( shouted ): Because I am scared..I am scared to accept my love for your Dad. I am scared that if I say it out, he might hurt me again..

Prathik ( wiped her tears ): Nahi Mumma..you're doing wrong. Maybe, we won't be able to understand your pain because we've never been through it but Mom, aise bhagne se kya hoga..kabse bhag rahe hai aap..ye kab thak chalega..rukne ka mann nahi kar rahe hai kya aapko..

Nandini ( chuckled sarcastically ): Rukne ka mann tho bohath pehle se hi aayi thi par dil bohath kamzor ho chuki hai ki ab kuch tolerate karne ka strength hi nahi bacha hai ab..

Manvik and Prathik just kept their heads on her lap from either sides..

Manvik ( caressed her cheeks ): Mom, can you tell your love story..Just once..

She smiled weekly but her eyes had that glow which they have never seen in their 9 years of lives..

Nandini: My..No, our love story wasn't a common one. He was a monster, a monster who knows only to bully others and found happiness in it. I was also a another victim of it but then gradually I understood he was just faking it. He had a heart which was so soft and cotton and it needed only Love and care and I didn't know when I started falling for him. He became sweet from tough. He started to cry in front of me which he has never done to anyone. He took care of me like I was his glass doll and one scratch on me then he will be ready to set the world on fire. We to had to face many ups and downs in our relationship but we didn't leave the other one even if it's for hurting. And then finally, we married each other, it was so early because of Amms and I have already told you guys about it, we were so happy, we were never this happy. He had me and I had him, we were ready to do anything to be with each other for whole day of our lives but then the worst day came, I got to know I was expecting you 3 and I wanted to surprise him with this news. He was never into kids but then I knew he will love you. But, before it could happen, we were torn apart. He didn't trust me, he trusted that photographs. He didn't trust my Love..

Her tears started to flow again, the boys got up and kissed her tears and held each of her hand in their's..

Manvik ( softly ): You still smile when you speak about him. You still feel those memories like its happening in front of your eyes. You still long for him, then..why don't you give him a chance, Mom..?

Nandini snapped her head at Manvik in shock..

Nandini: What..? I need to give him a chance..? the one who didn't trust me..wow..

She was just smiling sarcastically amidst her tears. They shook their head, they knew she wouldn't get it if they don't go softer with her..Prathik knelt down in front of her and kept his head on her lap and made her caress them while Manvik kept his head on her chest and held her other hand in his..

Prathik: Mom, whenever you spoke about him, we always found something common in every sentence and that was his impulsiveness. Probably, he must be the one who've got much of impulsiveness in his blood. So, why don't you place yourself in his place and think about it. Imagine that you're Manik Malhotra and you act impulsively for each and every case and you just can't change it..Won't you do the same what he did..??

Nandini stared at Prathik lost in deep thoughts while he was looking at her with curious eyes..

Manvik: Mom, you said he has a heart of cotton, we can't forget he was insecure then. He had only you with him and the thought of you being away from him, you being someone else's was something he couldn't imagine. Agreed, whatever he did was a sin and due to that sin, you had to go through lots of hardships, you raised us being a single mother and I swear, if her were in your place, he wouldn't have done it, he would have lost himself because only a mother could do it. A mother is someone who could raise her kids, let it be one, two, three or more than it but she can, let her be alone, still she can because she loves her kids more than even a father could which is why we love you to no extent, Mom. But, it doesn't mean we should neglect his sorrows. He too suffered a lot. He acted impulsive and lashed out at you, he disrespected you but keep yourself in his place, Mom. What if one day, you're seeing him with some other lady or some photographs in which he was with some other lady and acted like he used to be with you, not to forget, you're an impulsive soul, won't you get angry..? Won't you feel betrayed..? Won't you confront him..? Bolo Mom..won't you..?

She could only stare at him. Of course, if it was Nandini, she would listen to him by calming herself even if she sees him with some other girl but think, she isn't the calm person but an impulsive soul since birth, then, can she stay calm..? No..a big No..she can't..she won't be able to keep calm. She has seen his anger, his impulsiveness so she could imagine herself is that was her character then..

Nandini ( softly ): I..I will..I will act like..him..I..I would have done the same which he did..to me..

The boys smiled at each other and then at her..She palmed her face and started to cry in realizing that he too had suffered as much as she did..

Nandini: I couldn't see it..How could I..??

Prathik ( cupped her cheeks ): Mom..he needs you..he wants you..he wants you like his longing for you is seen in his eyes. Whenever he sees us responding to his care, he smiles like a lunatic but then gradually his smile fades when you keep a stern face at him. It shows Mom, it shows how much he loves you, it shows that no matter what, no matter if we accept him, he needs you the most..

She cried harder and they just hugged her and she could only tighten her grip on them..

Manvik: Go on Mom..aapka Mani, aapkeliye bohatha thadpaya hai, ab aapki baari hai, just crash in his arms not in ours because, your peace lay there in his arms..

They broke the hug and kissed her cheeks while she kissed their foreheads innumerable times and they could only smile amidst tears..

Nandini ( thought ): I am sorry Manik, I am sorry for everything. I am a bad wife. I never saw your pain, I never thought by thinking in your perspective. I am sorry, I love you..

Prathik: Kya soch rahe ho, Mom..jao na..

Nandini ( scared ): What if he pushes me off..?

They sighed in disbelief..

Manvik: Mom, he's been waiting for you for the past 10 years and he's been apologizing for his mistakes for more than 2 months and still you think he will reject you. Come on Mom, we know him much better then..

Nandini ( sighed ): I..I am scared..What will I tell him..What if he doesn't trust me..I know..he trusts me a lot, but still..I..I..mujhse nahi hoga yeh..nahi..

The boys palmed their face. Suddenly, an idea came in their mind..

" DATE " they shouted and looked at each other and made a bad face..

Manvik: Why do you copy me, every time..

Prathik: Excuse me..? Copying and me..I am the topper of my school without copying even a letter..

Manvik ( attitude ): You mean, I was the last, dude I am the other topper. And, me in the entire life have never copied..It's you who always copy whatever I say..

Prathik: No, its you. Whenever I say something, you've to say the same..

Nandini ( annoyed ): Shut up you too..Kabhi tho buddies banjathe hai aur kabhi enemies..Don't forget you guys are brothers..

" He started it " and Nandini just sighed..

Manvik: Chal, let's drop it..so where was I..han Date..you'll go for a date with him..

Nandini's eyes popped out of it's sockets..

Nandini: What..? Manvik Malhotra and Prathik Malhotra..from where did you learn such adult stuffs..

Prathik ( held his head ): God, here goes the Mumma Lecture. Mom, we are living in Australia so we obviously can know such stuffs and what's so adult in it..Even our friends go for dates with their so called gfs..

Nandini ( glared ): I told you to stay away from such boys..

Manvik: Mom, chill. They go for only dates, aur kuch nahi..

Nandini: Manvikkk

Prathik: okay chill, ab ye sab chod..Now, you're going for a date with your hubby..

Nandini ( sighed in disbelief ): Here I am trying to sort my issues with your Dad and you're planning a date for me and your father..Impossible..

Manvik ( irritated ): Arey Mumma, pehle sun tho sahi..Date isiliye plan kiya thaaki you guys can be alone. If you guys spend some time with each other, then you guys can sort your issues..

Prathik ( interrupted before Nandini could talk ): And, if you're thinking about how to ask him for a date, then simply don't. Humpe chod..aap bas ready hokar venue pe aaja..Aapka Mani waha hoga..

ManPr: Trust us Mom..

She smiled in tears and kissed their foreheads..

Nandini: I love you..

They smiled and hugged her from sideways and kept their heads on her chest..

ManPr: I know and I love you too..

To be continued..